Leaders face their toughest trials when about to make a brand new move. In our country, which has been climbing the hill of democracy, this reality has long been suggesting itself. In his first address on the evening of the election, Prime Minister Erdoğan brought up issues that can be considered clues for the new era. He gave comforting messages to those who did not vote for the Justice and Development (AK Party); he mentioned embracing a far larger segment of society. He stressed that they had turned a new page with the elections. Bülent Arınç’s decision to not run for parliament speaker again is a sign of the new term. And the new parliament speaker to be elected will be a figure directed to the new horizon. This determination doesn’t at all mean that Mr. Arınç will be of less importance. I have previously touched upon this -- Mr. Arınç is the conscience of the AK Party. He is the conscience wherein the feelings and the sincerity of the base are reflected.
There exists a role distribution between Erdoğan, Gül and Arınç, the likes of which we have never before seem in our political lives. Having come from the tradition of the National View, they have achieved a realistic approach to everything by reading developments in the world and Turkey accurately. Every other citizen in Turkey having voted for them is evidence that that their approach is recognized and appreciated by the people.
This approval of the people’s will is so important.
So, why did every other person vote for the AK Party? Everybody is trying to answer this question according to the ground they stand on. Justice tempered by mercy is half the religion, as the Prophet Mohammed put it. So, let’s seek an answer endowed with this quality.
Those who voted for the AK Party:
1. Voted for stability, as they knew very well what sort of price they would have to pay in the event of a coalition government.
2. Thought that there would be greater economic developments with stability and that they would have greater monthly incomes.
3. Were content with the AK Party’s deeds in its four-and-a-half-year term and wanted it to continue.
4. Reacted to the intervention of institutions overstepping their legal and democratic bounds, thus giving the message that the national will had to become the essential criterion in the administration.
5. Supported Turkey’s opening up to the world with self-confidence and showed that they did not want the country to retire into itself.
6. Wished for all liberties, particularly religious freedom and freedom of conscience, to be expanded, especially the sincere religious people stated that they trusted the AK Party and its leader with this mission.
Everything highlighted in these articles and the fact that every other person voted for the AK Party has loaded a greater responsibility onto the AK Party’s back, particularly the backs of Erdoğan, Gül and Arınç. The new AK Party government should be even more tolerant and mild by embracing a larger portion of society.
In other words, they should not provide the opportunities sought by those looking to generate crises and more tension. They should also keep in mind that those who took their aggression to the squares during the presidential election process will not so easily get over the election results.
It is noteworthy that Mr. Erdoğan recalled the Ottoman state’s spiritual architect Sheikh Edebali’s advice to his son-in-law Osman Beğ, the founder of the state, in a very timely manner. This made a most beautiful start for a party in power. This opportunity should be put to good use in the best manner possible. In the new term, nobody can expect the AK Party to yield to or be subdued by anything, particularly while the results of the July 22 elections are right before us.
However, on the other hand, nobody should attempt to shake the confidence of the party’s voter base by claiming that it is “making compromises,” “denying itself” or “changing track,” while the party is setting sail for new horizons.
In this new term, everybody will have to assume a certain degree of responsibility. It is very wrong to comment that the AK Party’s new faces and the party’s plan to install some of them into ministerial positions are unnecessary compromises. And it is just as wrong for “certain segments” to continue defying everyone, as if no elections were held.
Everybody must read the signs of the new era accurately.
