TURKEY:Millions of Turks are expected to make the ultimate patriotic gesture this weekend - abandoning Turkey's beaches and returning home to vote in a general election in which turnout will be critical.
This is the country's first high-summer election since the 1970s, and the 40-degree heatwave that has left Turks sweltering for the past two months is an incentive not to travel.
The interior ministry has banned the sale of alcohol on election day tomorrow and announced curbs on carrying guns for everyone except the police.
These are normal restrictions in a country where political passions can run high and where voting is a legal requirement.
Adding to the tense atmosphere is the issue at the heart of this election - the clash between the government and Turkey's secular institutions, including the military, over who should become president. The argument has fired up voters on all sides.
Consequently, scores of holidaying Turks are expected to return to the cities and towns where they are registered to vote. This is especially true of supporters of the secular opposition parties, who are more likely to be at the seaside.
Many of them fear predictions that the social and religious conservatives of the outgoing government will win a sweeping victory - posing a threat to their liberal, secular lifestyle.
The governing Justice and Development party (AKP) does not face the same problem of mobilising its supporters. The AKP has its roots in political Islam and draws support from rural and small-town voters who never go near Turkey's popular seaside resorts.
Some 42.5 million Turks are entitled to vote, and turnout is usually high. It was 79 per cent at the last election, in November 2002. Opinion polls showed the AKP on course to win about 40 per cent of the vote. - ( Financial Times service)