What does this meeting mean? We are experiencing a new situation in Turkish politics. Despite the fact that the party leader reinforced his position in the last election, he is holding consultative meetings with his colleagues. He is not using his leadership to make them submit to his desires; he has opted to resort to collective action based on mutual respect and the effective exchange of ideas. This is a first in our political life, it is indeed. There was never such companionship between Atatürk and İsmet İnönü, Celal Bayar and Adnan Menderes, Erdal İnönü and Bülent Ecevit or Turgut Özal and Mesut Yılmaz. You cannot find a parallel in Ecevit and Deniz Baykal; this companionship is based on a different understanding. For instance, Erdoğan called Gül “my brother” when declaring Gül’s presidential candidacy in the Parliament. This is a new discourse in politics. What we have experienced in politics up to this point amounts to hypocrisy despite an abundance of greetings and salutes. Some may find this a bit exaggerated, but I think this new philosophy is the reflection of our values onto the political landscape.
In other words, it is the glory of our conservative democrat understanding and our beliefs that prioritize consultation in the sphere of politics. Our faith reminds us that God bestows the ruler He loves with smart and able companions. Serving the nation and being humble are the essence of this understanding. From this perspective, it is already evident that the harmony between Erdoğan, Gül and Arınç will have notable imprints on the future. I can say with certainty that the latest meeting between the three was not confined to deliberations on the presidential candidacy of Gül. I think that they held detailed discussions on future works and undoubtedly they also spoke about the composition of the new cabinet.
But most importantly, they must have shared a lot of thoughts on how the election results could be used most effectively. It should be recalled that they most probably did not consider their own personal gains or fates. For people of faith, every success brings an opportunity and every opportunity is considered a grant to serve the nation’s interests. If grants are not acknowledged, they are taken back. I would like to share my impression of the political style of Erdoğan, Gül and Arınç with my readers. These people have been into politics since their youth; their experience is very valuable.
Coming to power through democratic means by taking world balances into consideration and reiterating the same success in the next elections requires insurmountable political talent. These people have gotten stronger and more mature with each part of their struggle and their success is not theirs alone. Our historical experience tells us that there are only a few nations who are able to revive after dramatic defeat. What I am trying to say is the political talent of these three people should not be underestimated. Of course, they are aware that this talent is valuable and meaningful only as long as they preserve the harmony and mutual respect between themselves.
