The attempts of some people who view the call as if it were addressed solely to the government are obvious. Does this call not involve the "number one" actor of the Turkish media as well as the rest of the media?
Why is this number one bothered and eager to instigate turmoil despite its growing material assets? Let us start with the second question: Beyond a certain point, money symbolizes power and influence. If your money grows but your influence declines, your money is simply useless.
Five years ago, he was less wealthy, but he had more influence. He picked leaders in the same way that leaders picked deputies. He regarded himself as the one who held the power to appoint Turkey's political actors. He decided who would rule the major political parties, including the True Path Party (DYP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP, now ANAVATAN) despite the presence of Turkey's eighth president, Turgut Özal. Center-right and center-left leadership candidates sought his approval before taking action, but the people, however, mostly rejected his plans.
This did not upset him as he had many other options at his disposal. And who has been able to maintain their domination over people so far, anyway? At least rookie politicians were submissive to his guardianship and sought his permission. Even his men were well regarded. They used to enjoy the privilege of reprimanding the minister who delayed the endorsement of an expected loan agreement. Only a few people have been called "emperor" in this country. It was not ordinary to be considered on a par with Vehbi Koç. Do you think it is easy to possess such wealth and lose this privilege?
The greatest illusion of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and that of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was that they thought they could satisfy him with money. While he dreamt of expanding his sphere of influence by relying on his money, the opposite has happened. He was someone from whom the prime minister asked for an appointment, but then he found himself in a position in which it was difficult to get an appointment with the prime minister. His editors-in-chief no longer enjoy the privilege of stepping into the office of the prime minister whenever they want. On top of that, he just cannot trust political actors he did not pick as it is likely that they may take measures to cut his funds. What if he has to rely on a retirement allowance of YTL 600 for survival?
Politics that are able to govern, a stable economy and an expanding sphere of democracy are great dangers for him. Politics should always involve conflict and tension so that this number one will have the opportunity to wield his influence. The economy should fluctuate so that he -- and only he -- will survive. Democracy should be restricted by our unique measures so that power is shared by a happy minority. If you cannot predict what the public, which is also referred as "the uncontrollable power," could do, their participation in politics should be restricted and symbolic democracy should be instituted instead of representative democracy!
Let us get back to the first question: Will the number one and his team retreat? The initial signs say that they do not intend to. He is seeking to benefit from this chaos. When you take one step back, he makes assessments to take two steps further in an effort to get the advantage of three steps. This will happen again unless someone says: "Number one! You too must take one step back."
I think President Abdullah Gül called the wrong persons to the presidential palace. Politicians are not the actual parties involved in the row. Someone has to make him realize that he is risking everything he holds in his hands when making a collateral move. The people are aware that they will have to suffer from this row. There is a great chance that the people will take the initiative, setting deputies aside. There is no quarrel with the people, experience shows that.
