Steadily losing the confidence of the bourgeoisie, Ecevit proclaimed a state of emergency in 19 provinces in 1979, in the hope of heading off an army intervention. This came after provocation that brought the start of hostilities between the Alevite and communities. thousand died during this period.
The workers' movement, including the Communist which had critically supported the government, now feebly challenged Ecevit's policies.
Unable stem the tide terrorism and faced with a worsening economic crisis, Ecevit's modernising solution collapsed.
Meanwhile, the proclamation of the state of emergency, the repression against the May Day demonstration last year, the arrest of militants in the Confederation of Progressive Workers Unions (DISK), the Turkish Workers Party and organisations, lost Ecevit the support of sections of the working class. He fell from office last October The Justice Party of Suleiman Demirel, which had led the previous coalition government, returned to office and launched a programme o economic recovery. The was granted every Foreign investment was favoured by the removal of 'bureaucratic impediespecially agriculture, Sectors such as the mines were denationalised.
The Turkish pound was devalued, by 48 per cent. By the end of 1979 prices had risen dramatically Butter, for example, went up by 70 73 per cent These moves found favour with