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Political Manstaches
The prime minister has one. So does the culture minister. Even the previously clean-shaven ministers of economy and foreign affairs recently began sporting theirs.Neatly-trimmed mustaches, similar to that worn by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have become increasingly popular among government ministers from his Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party, or AKP, ahead of a crucial referendum Sunday on expanding the president's powers. Some analysts say that's no fluke in a country where facial hair has a history of political significance, and where ministers' loyalty to Erdogan is being closely scrutinized following a failed coup attempt last year. "These days, when Turkey is fighting terror organizations — and in the aftermath of the coup — the mustaches provide a strong and stern image," said Mesut Sen, professor of Turkish studies at Istanbul's Marmara University. Historically, men in Turkey have worn mustaches not only to assert their manhood but express their political leanings. Traditionally, nationalists wear their mustaches long and downward-pointing — like the crescent moon on the Turkish flag — while leftists tend to grow theirs bushy and Stalin-esque. Posted by: Skidmark 2017-04-12 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=485631 |