İsmail Cem

İsmail Cem (born İsmail Cem İpekçi, 15 February 1940 – 24 January 2007) was a Turkish centre-leftist politician, intellectual, writer, author and journalist who served as the Minister of Culture of Turkey from July 7 to October 26, 1995, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey from June 30, 1997 to July 11, 2002.^[1]

İsmail Cem
Cem, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2001
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 30 June 1997 – 11 July 2002
Prime Minister	Mesut Yılmaz, Bülent Ecevit
Preceded by	Tansu Çiller
Succeeded by	Şükrü Sina Gürel
Minister of Culture of Turkey
In office 7 July 1995 – 26 October 1995
Prime Minister	Tansu Çiller
Preceded by	Ercan Karakaş
Succeeded by	Köksal Toptan
Personal details
Born	(1940-02-15)15 February 1940 Nişantaşı, Istanbul, Turkey
Died	24 January 2007(2007-01-24) (aged 66) Istanbul, Turkey
Political party	CHP (1958-1980, 1992-1995) SDP (1983-1985) SHP (1985-1992) DSP (1995-2002) YTP (2002-2004) SDHP (2004-2007)
Spouse	Elçin Trak
Children	2
Parent(s)	Ihsan İpekçi Şerife Rikkat İpekçi
Relatives	Abdi İpekçi (cousin) Cemil İpekçi (cousin)
Education	Law, sociology of politics
Alma mater	Robert College University of Lausanne Sciences Po Paris
Profession	Journalist, politician, writer, statesman

Background

İsmail Cem finished high school at Robert College in İstanbul in 1959 and graduated from the Law School at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland in 1963.^[2] He had his master's degree in sociology of politics at the École Libre des Sciences Politiques in 1983, Paris, France. He was an exchange student with AFS Intercultural Programs at Piedmont High School, Piedmont California for one year during his high school years after Işık Koleji.

Cem was the cousin of murdered liberal-leftist journalist, intellectual and human rights activist Abdi İpekçi, the editor in chief for then centre-leftist Milliyet newspaper. Cem was the son of İhsan İpekçi (1901-1966), who was one of the pioneers of the Turkish cinema industry, as the founder and partner of İpek Film, and several popular Istanbul movie theaters including Yeni Melek and İpek and his mother Zerife. İsmail Cem was an avid photographer, and held four photo exhibits in his lifetime, and published a book Mevsim, Mevsim (Seasons, Seasons).

Journalism

Returning home in 1963, Cem started his professional career as a journalist. He worked in some major newspapers who published articles and became a columnist for Milliyet, Cumhuriyet and Politika, where he served as the editor in chief for the second newspaper from 1964 until 1966. Between 1971 and 1974, he served as the chief of the Istanbul office within the Turkish Newspaper Workers Union. In 1974–1975, he acted as the general manager of the state-owned Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT)^[3] under the 37th and 38th governments. Cem's tenure as the general manager of TRT, then the only TV station in Turkey, created some controversy. The conservatives and prominent right-wing figures like future President of Turkey Süleyman Demirel used their political and social influence to remove İpekçi from his post in several attempts, which have all proven fruitless.

Writing career

Among with his political and journalistic successes, İpekçi is also known as one of the ideologists of social democracy in Turkey, and was counted among the prominent figures within the Turkish centre-left. İpekçi, who advocated a moderate agenda in a time of political turmoil, wrote extensive accounts of the economic and social factors lying beneath Turkey's underdevelopment and theorized methods for the revitalization of Turkish left. Among his books are Turkiye'de Geri Kalmışlığın Tarihi (A History of Underdevelopment in Turkey), one of the most acclaimed books in the field of social sciences in Turkey and Sosyal Demokrasi Nedir?, Ne Değildir? (What is and What is not Social Democracy?), one of the first books to introduce social democracy to Turkish politics. İpekçi's books, characterized by their plain but informative nature, are still popular and are growing even more popular, especially in light of the current dissent against AKP's Islamism and the debate of reformation in Turkish left. He is also labeled as the visionary of the "Anatolian Left (Anadolu Solu)" Archived 20 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine. A more detailed bibliography of his works can be found below.

Political career

Early parliamentary career (1987-1995)

Cem entered politics after being elected deputy of Istanbul from the Kadıköy district in the general elections held in 1987.^[4] He was re-elected in 1991 again from Istanbul and in 1995 from Kayseri.

His early political career was marked by his social democratic ideology and his role as one of the prominent theorists of social democracy in Turkey. During this period, he wrote extensively on Turkey's political and economic development, publishing influential works including Türkiye'de Geri Kalmışlığın Tarihi (A History of Underdevelopment in Turkey) and Sosyal Demokrasi Nedir?, Ne Değildir? (What is and What is not Social Democracy?).^[5]

Presidential candidacy and party switch

After the death of President Turgut Özal in 1993, Cem ran for president without success, reflecting his growing political ambitions and national prominence.^[6] This unsuccessful bid demonstrated the limitations he faced within the existing political framework of the Republican People's Party (CHP).

In 1995, Cem made a significant political decision by leaving the Republican People's Party (CHP) and joining the Democratic Left Party (DSP) led by Bülent Ecevit.^[7] This move marked a turning point in his career, as it positioned him closer to the center of power and aligned him with Ecevit's more pragmatic approach to social democracy.

Minister of Culture (1995)

Following his party switch, Cem was appointed Minister of Culture on July 7, 1995, serving until October 26, 1995, in the coalition government led by Tansu Çiller.^[8] Though his tenure was brief, lasting only three months, this position provided him with valuable ministerial experience and demonstrated his capability in government administration.

Minister of Foreign Affairs (1997-2002)

Cem's most significant political role came when he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs on June 30, 1997, a position he held until July 11, 2002.^[9] His five-year tenure made him the fourth longest-serving foreign minister in Turkish history and coincided with a period of significant geopolitical change following the end of the Cold War.

During his time as foreign minister, Cem served under three different governments, demonstrating remarkable political longevity and the confidence placed in his diplomatic abilities. His foreign policy approach was characterized by a multi-dimensional strategy that sought to balance Turkey's traditional Western orientation with expanded engagement in neighboring regions.

European Union relations

Cem's most notable achievement was his role in securing Turkey's status as a candidate for European Union membership. He was largely credited with Turkey's declaration as a full member candidate during the Helsinki Summit in December 1999.^[9] This breakthrough came after intensive negotiations with EU officials, including a crucial overnight diplomatic mission to Ankara by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and European Commissioner Günter Verheugen to finalize the details.^[9]

His approach to EU relations was both pragmatic and visionary. Despite being a strong advocate for Turkish EU membership, Cem maintained realistic expectations about the challenges ahead, acknowledging the complex nature of the accession process while working tirelessly to advance Turkey's European integration.

Greek-Turkish rapprochement

One of Cem's most significant diplomatic achievements was the improvement of historically tense Turkish-Greek relations. Working closely with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou, Cem initiated what became known as "earthquake diplomacy" following the devastating earthquakes that struck both countries in 1999.^[10]

The relations between the two countries had reached an all-time low after the Abdullah Öcalan affair, in which Greek officials were involved in harboring the PKK leader. However, Cem and Papandreou, both foreign-educated intellectuals who eschewed nationalist rhetoric, managed to build personal trust and initiated a step-by-step rapprochement process.^[11]

Their cooperation resulted in the signing of five bilateral agreements in January 2000, covering areas such as maritime cooperation, combating organized crime, and economic collaboration.^[12] In recognition of their joint efforts, both Cem and Papandreou received the "Statesman of the Year" award from the US-based East West Institute in 2000.^[13]

Formation of New Turkey Party (2002)

Cem's political career took another dramatic turn in 2002 when he resigned from the DSP due to growing disputes with party leader Bülent Ecevit over policy direction and political strategy.^[14] On July 20, 2002, ahead of the 2002 parliamentary elections, he founded the New Turkey Party (YTP) together with former DSP colleagues Hüsamettin Özkan and Zeki Eker.^[15]

As the leader of YTP, Cem positioned the party as a pro-reform, center-left alternative that could bridge Turkey's traditional political divisions. The party advocated for continued EU integration, economic modernization, and democratic reforms. However, despite Cem's personal popularity and recognition, especially among young voters, the YTP failed to achieve significant electoral success in the 2002 general elections.^[16]

Later political activities

Following the poor electoral performance of YTP, Cem dissolved the party on October 24, 2004.^[17] He subsequently joined the Social Democratic People's Party (SDHP) in 2004, continuing his commitment to social democratic politics until his death in 2007.

During his final years, Cem served as chief advisor to Deniz Baykal, the leader of CHP, and taught Applied Foreign Politics of Turkey at Istanbul Bilgi University.^[17] Even in his academic role, he remained an influential voice in Turkish foreign policy discourse, continuing to advocate for Turkey's European integration and multi-dimensional foreign policy approach.

Throughout his political career, Cem was particularly admired by young people in Turkey, with polls indicating that many young Turks desired to see him as President of Turkey.^[18] His intellectual approach to politics, combined with his pragmatic diplomacy and vision for Turkey's modernization, made him a respected figure across party lines and established his legacy as one of Turkey's most accomplished foreign ministers.

Later political career and illness

After a dispute with the party leader Bülent Ecevit, he resigned from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) ahead of 2002 parliamentary elections and formed the New Turkey Party (YTP) on 20 July 2002 together with his former party colleague Hüsamettin Özkan and Zeki Eker. İsmail Cem was elected leader of YTP, which did not do well in the elections.

Returning from the United States, where he was due to medical treatment of pulmonary cancer, he closed YTP on 24 October 2004, joining the CHP, despite newly affiliated with the SDHP until his death. İsmail Cem was acting as the chief advisor to Deniz Baykal, the leader of CHP, and lectured in Applied Foreign Politics of Turkey at the Istanbul Bilgi University until his death.

He was married to Elçin Trak, and the couple had a daughter, İpek Cem Taha, and a son, Kerim Cem.

Funeral

Grave of İsmail Cem in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery, Istanbul

İsmail Cem died on 24 January 2007 in İstanbul after suffering for two years from lung cancer. He was honored with a state funeral, at which Speaker of the Parliament Bülent Arınç, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, current and former leaders of the political parties, his close friend former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, George Papandreou and Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Theodoros Kasimis attended.^[19]

He was interred at the Zincirlikuyu Cemetery. Papandreou laid on his grave a branch from the olive tree they both had planted 2000 in Greece as a symbol of peace.^[20]

Legacy

İsmail Cem was especially admired by young people in Turkey during his time as a foreign minister. Some polls indicated that young people desired to see Cem as President of Turkey.^[21] İsmail Cem's biography written by Turkish political scientist Ozan Örmeci, "Portrait of a Turkish Social Democrat: İsmail Cem" and its Turkish version "Bir Türk Sosyal Demokratı: İsmail Cem" Archived 17 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine found many readers among Turkish intellectuals and showed Cem's unique place in Turkish social democratic movement.

Bibliography

• Türkiye'de Geri Kalmışlığın Tarihi (History of Under Development in Turkey), 512 pp, Can, ISBN 975-510-791-6
• Türkiye Üzerine Yazılar (Articles on Turkey)
• 12 Mart (12 March) (Referring to 12 March 1971, the date of military coup)
• TRT'de 500 Gün (500 Days at TRT) (TRT is the Turkish state television)
• Siyaset Yazıları (Notes about Politics)
• Geçiş Dönemi Türkiye'si (Turkey in a Period of Transition)
• Sosyal Demokrasi ya da Demokratik Sosyalizm Nedir, Ne Değildir? (What is, What is not Social Democracy Or Democratic Socialism?), 311 pp, Can, ISBN 975-510-801-7
• Türkiye'de Sosyal Demokrasi (Social Democracy in Turkey)
• Engeller ve Çözümler (Obstacles and Solutions)
• Yeni Sol, Sol'daki Arayış (The New Left, Seek in the Left), 340 pp, Can, ISBN 975-8440-16-0
• Gelecek İçin Denemeler (Essays about the Future), 344 pp, Can, ISBN 975-8440-18-7
• Türkiye, Avrupa, Avrasya I, Strateji-Yunanistan-Kıbrıs (Turkey, Europe, Eurasia I, Strategy-Greece-Cyprus), 298 pp, Istanbul Bilgi University (2004), ISBN 975-6857-88-9
• Avrupa'nın Birliği ve Türkiye (Union of Europe and Turkey), 364 pp, Istanbul Bilgi University (2005), ISBN 975-6176-27-X

Awards

In 2000, Cem was honored by US-based "East West Institute" think tank with the Statesman of the Year award together with the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreou for fostering closer relations between the two nations.^[22]