This delay has unnecessarily undermined the images of both the AK Party and Melih Gökçek. It has encouraged the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and spurred on opponents to the Justice and Development Party (AK Party). The delay has even offered a great opportunity to some media figures who have exploited this to launch an aggressive campaign. However, we could call this a great step forward: The prime minister’s remarks describing Gökçek as a mayor loved by Ankara residents and calling him a “brother” were sincere and made to win hearts. In this way, those who were seeking to ignite some sort of hatred between the prime minister and Gökçek failed. But let me try to find an answer to the question that makes all curious: Why has this decision been delayed? Gökçek has been serving as mayor in Ankara for three consecutive terms, and he has been very successful. Endorsed by the prime minister, he has made Ankara a capital of the world. But this is something you can encounter in politics. Even if you are successful, ambitions and political considerations -- and sometimes external factors --may start disagreement between even the best of party fellows.
There was intra-party opposition against Gökçek’s nomination in the past as well. But this time, some big names in the party have taken a dislike to him. They have tried to force the prime minister to get rid of him, and they have used every opportunity they could to undermine Gökçek. This has been an unusual resistance. I think these were also long-term calculations that concern the future of the AK Party. The prime minister, however, did not entertain the opposition that wanted to discard Gökçek. The rumors that the prime minister did not like Gökçek were just that: rumors. This was a plot staged by those who oppose Erdoğan, Gökçek and the rule of the AK Party. The primary reason for the delay was the attempts to sway those who were opposed within the party. For this reason, he insisted on public opinion polls.
Gökçek and I have been friends for 40 years. I know he will not make this a problem and forget our past, I am also sure he will embrace all of his fellow party members and bring unity back to the party. This will strongly influence the AK Party’s efforts before the elections on March 29. In a sense, this 15-day period of trouble and pain will make him more mature. I could even say that we will see a new Melih Gökçek in the future.
Gökçek is now a candidate. This decision has aborted a great plot against the AK Party. The plot was to make the AK Party unsuccessful in Ankara in the upcoming elections and start a process of retreat similar to that of the Motherland Party (ANAP, now ANAVATAN). They would accomplish their goals that they were not able to fulfill illegally using the local elections.
A meeting was reportedly held in İstanbul to plan all this. In this meeting the candidacy of Murat Karayalçın was agreed upon, and this was then presented to CHP leader Deniz Baykal for approval; the Democratic Left Party (DSP) was also requested not to put anyone in the running for Ankara. Some media bosses must have also attended this meeting because a wholesale attack was soon launched against Gökçek. Subsequently, the candidates of other parties were polished and praised. AK Party candidates who were considering running against Gökçek were publicized and promoted.
The nomination of Gökçek has nipped this plot in the bud. But those who are opposed to AK Party rule will never give up. They will stage this plot again, but in different forms in the months to come. As I stated earlier, the local elections are much more important than a mere election for the AK Party. The failure of the AK Party is strongly desired in these elections. If it fails even slightly, there are a number of groups who are ready to seize this opportunity. And just as with the inability of some to accept the Ergenekon case, some circles just do not want a democratized Turkey or Turkey as a member of the EU.
The March 29 local elections should be analyzed from this perspective.
