Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Consensus, compromise and collaboration

Now that probably A. Gül will be the only candidate for the president vacancy in Turkey, some columnists are already stating that he is not a consensus-candidate. Yes, he is not. But is a consensus-candidate needed? With a party which has gained 47% of the votes, for sure, if there was presidential elections with a popular vote, he would win. And is Deniz Baykal a consensus and compromise like minded CHP party leader? More a dictator...

In my opinion, Turkey needs a compromise-candidate. But without any input from the opposition, how can this be achieved? The anti-government stance of CHP, in all that the AK-government is doing, brings themselves out to the spotlight and out to the true democratic decision making process. The fact that they already announced to boycott the elections in the Turkish parliament, shows only how a-democratic they are. And they will boycott all kind of events when A. Gül will be president, ensuring that there will be more tension in Turkey, paving the way for the military.

Dialogue and debate are two major pillars in a modern democracy. That's what is lacking in Turkey. If the CHP which has the word of 'republicanism' in their banner, they really must understand what Republicanism means: it's the ideology of governing a nation as a republic, with an emphasis on liberty, ruled by the people, and the civic virtue practiced by citizens. Republicanism always stands in opposition to aristocracy, oligarchy, and dictatorship.

It's time that the CHP begins to collaborate, in the true spirit of democracy.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

as understanding of your opinion and taking their side and supporting AKP party :); Who else can be the best oposition party:)? in Turkish parliament so, what happened with the election what has chanced? Nothing with 47% votes AKP still NO: 1 party and operating the country and Abdullah Gul still will be president. Although I have big suspicions how the election held, as AKP votes coming out and counted too much. As 2 days ago came out in the news or is it covered up again and we will never hear again? Where is the world Votes organization group anybody watched the Turkish election, or it was beneficial for both EU and America? So no need to observed.:)

Well at the end really what I believe: as long as Turkey is still Republic and economy going strong that’s what I care. The house price going up, Turkish lira still going strong this is what I care…

Anonymous said...

Turkey passes the test of holding a democratic election of European standards. Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe monitored it and give Turkey a star
July 23

Anonymous said...

derya, no, i am not pro akp, but fiercly anti-chp..))
i am ldp, social democrat.
i inly wrote this with my philosophy and law back ground..

Michael van der Galiën said...

Although I think that one could certainly say that Baykal is not a person who likes to compromise, and that the AK Parti received a mandate, it seems to me that Erdogan et al. would be wise not to disenfrenchise the secularists - be they 'the elite,' students or (members of) the army.

Anonymous said...

michael, just went to your site?


Bu siteye erişim mahkeme kararıyla engellenmiştir.

T.C. Fatih 2.Asliye Hukuk Mahkemesi 2007/195 Nolu Kararı gereği bu siteye erişim engellenmiştir.

Access to this site has been suspended in accordance with decision no: 2007/195 of T.C. Fatih 2.Civil Court of First Instance.

Unknown said...

Baykal should have resigned five years ago, when he suffered the first of many embarrassments with still more to come. It seems like Baykal is not letting democracy reach his own party, let alone the whole of Turkey. Do people really think the party system in Turkey currently allow for differing opinions and voices to coexist? Didn't think so!