People who understand the concept of this world and eternity and who remember their mortal existence will not fall into such a trap because their only aim is to embrace everyone. They say “we are equally close to each party” instead of “we are equally distant from each party.” They won’t cloud their wonderful world of goodness or even their dreams with political aspirations or political expectations. Engaging in politics or occupying a political post is everyone’s democratic right. Political parties are sine qua non of democracy. We must all respect and support sincere people who want to serve this great nation -- which is struggling to reach a stable level of peace and international development -- through politics. We show our support and appreciation to these political figures with our votes on election days.
Unfortunately, during election periods political parties and candidates strongly believe that certain groups aligned with them because of their expectations will vote for them. For example, parties can talk about the certain million votes they have and candidates can say “I am here to represent so-and-so.”
Ironically, there are people who believe these claims. Now that we are only months away from elections, we will certainly hear similar words once again. We can’t believe the claims of those who launch smear campaigns and make allegations, nor can we trust those who perceive voters as a group of confused people waiting to be guided and those who don’t respect the public will. But they can go ahead and think however they want.
There is another issue these days that we need to discuss. The law, democracy, public politics and constitutional institutions are all undergoing a very tough period. Almost every institution has been subject to criticism. A retired prosecutor shouted the number 367 and stirred a commotion in the country. We all know that touching a soccer ball with your hand is a penalty in every country. The same should go for the 367 issue. But the prosecutor was able to speak for the justice system and say, “Well, it’s not a penalty this time.”
While the quorum of 367 was not an issue when Presidents Özal, Demirel or Sezer were being elected, it was turned into the most important problem in Gül’s election. Democratically elected people boycotted Parliament. Among those subject to criticism are the Higher Education Board (YOK), which called for a meeting with all chancellors; the General Staff, which published a memorandum; the Constitutional Court; the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which threatened the supreme court and the True Path Party (DYP) and Motherland Party (ANAVATAN), which didn’t attend Parliament’s presidential election.
I was among those who levied criticism as well. But does that automatically make me a Justice and Development Party (AK Party) supporter? If yes, how fair of an assessment would that be? Why would people like me who want to prevent chaos and who struggle to protect democracy support one particular party? Perhaps that is what the picture reflects, but please be a little reasonable. Do you think we will stop defending democracy for the sake of the AK Party?
Those people who make mistakes cannot have others pay the price for their actions.
