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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Turkey to ban late-night sales of alcohol | Turkey to ban late-night sales of alcohol |
| (5 days later) | |
| The Turkish parliament has approved controversial legislation to restrict the sale and advertising of alcohol. | The Turkish parliament has approved controversial legislation to restrict the sale and advertising of alcohol. |
| The Islamist-rooted ruling AK party says the law will protect the population, particularly young people, from the harmful effects of alcohol. | The Islamist-rooted ruling AK party says the law will protect the population, particularly young people, from the harmful effects of alcohol. |
| Critics say it is a new move to impose an Islamic agenda on a secular, though predominantly Muslim, country. | Critics say it is a new move to impose an Islamic agenda on a secular, though predominantly Muslim, country. |
| The law bans the sale of alcohol in shops between 22:00 and 06:00 and bans producers from sponsoring events. | |
| To take effect, the law must be signed by President Abdullah Gul. Mr Gul, a former member of the ruling AKP, is expected to do so soon. | |
| Diageo Plc, the world's largest distiller of alcoholic beverages, has expressed concern about the legislation. | Diageo Plc, the world's largest distiller of alcoholic beverages, has expressed concern about the legislation. |
| In 2011, Diageo bought Mey Icki, a producer of the traditional Turkish spirit raki, for $2.1bn (£1.7bn). | In 2011, Diageo bought Mey Icki, a producer of the traditional Turkish spirit raki, for $2.1bn (£1.7bn). |
| It said this week it had bought the company in the belief it was investing in a country "that encouraged foreign investment". | It said this week it had bought the company in the belief it was investing in a country "that encouraged foreign investment". |
| 'Drink yoghurt' | 'Drink yoghurt' |
| In other points of the new law | In other points of the new law |
| Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who does not drink or smoke, said recently that ayran, a non-alcoholic yoghurt drink, was the "national drink" of the Turks. | Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who does not drink or smoke, said recently that ayran, a non-alcoholic yoghurt drink, was the "national drink" of the Turks. |
| AKP politician Lutfu Elva, head of the planning and budget commission, defended the law, saying similar restrictions were in place in Scandinavian countries. | AKP politician Lutfu Elva, head of the planning and budget commission, defended the law, saying similar restrictions were in place in Scandinavian countries. |
| But Musa Cam, an MP from the main opposition party, the CHP, said: "No one can be forced to drink or not to drink. This is a religious and ideological imposition." | But Musa Cam, an MP from the main opposition party, the CHP, said: "No one can be forced to drink or not to drink. This is a religious and ideological imposition." |
| Quoted in an article in Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, he said: "This is not a struggle against the ills of alcohol but an attempt to redesign the society according to their [AK party] beliefs and lifestyle." | Quoted in an article in Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, he said: "This is not a struggle against the ills of alcohol but an attempt to redesign the society according to their [AK party] beliefs and lifestyle." |
| Hasip Kaplan, a Kurdish MP, warned the law would hurt tourism, which "can't recover easily once collapsed", the state-run Anatolia news agency reports. | Hasip Kaplan, a Kurdish MP, warned the law would hurt tourism, which "can't recover easily once collapsed", the state-run Anatolia news agency reports. |
| Correction 28 May, 2013: We have made clear that the ban only applies to sales from shops, not bars and restaurants. |