Last week, the chief of general staff held a press conference with a total of 36 generals, if I counted correctly. He said it had been proven that a document allegedly belonging to a senior colonel working at the headquarters was fake. The Military Prosecutor's Office determined that the authenticity of the document could not be proven because the document was a photocopy. In other words, by announcing during the press conference, which had turned into a display of military soft power, that the document could not be verified, the chief of general staff wanted people to reach the conclusion themselves that the document was fake. Meanwhile, he repeated a few times that the Turkish military would not tolerate coup supporters and that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) was committed to the rule of law.Shortly after the press conference concluded, many national television stations were already airing special programs assessing the general's statements. Speakers on those programs opined that the chief of general staff was not convincing, that he was trying to manipulate the public and judiciary and that documents like the “Action Plan to Fight Reactionaryism” were always prepared by the military. It was also suggested that an institution that feels compelled to repeat several times that it is committed to the rule of law is actually in a way admitting that it has a tendency to violate the rule of law.
The press conference, organized with the presence of 36 generals and prearranged journalists, quickly lost prestige. We experienced similar social perception and reaction in the past as well. But this time it was on a much wider scale, and more importantly, it was considered “normal.” Turkey is gradually moving towards creating a new “norm.” We are not bluntly saying many managerial behaviors and qualities that previously seemed normal to us are strange. We are questioning the legitimacy of a state that dictates how we need to act, characterizes its citizens and looks down on its society.
Most likely this is a situation that people who have been closely observing Turkey over the last year were expecting. Turks, who are rapidly integrating with the world owing to new opportunities brought by globalization, are passing through this period with “conscious” steps thanks to EU criteria. The positive role of Turkey's EU membership process cannot be overlooked, especially since it prevented society from being torn apart, a chaotic atmosphere from prevailing and citizens from being victimized by an identity crisis. It made the goal visible. It turned Turkey's aspirations into a stable and real position.
It was obvious that some segments of society and some institutions were not pleased by this change. While it was expected that these actors would unite to oppose the change, I think only a few people realized that the institutions in question had mental blocks that prevented them from understanding the change in Turkey. Today many institutions -- in particular, the military and judiciary -- have become anachronistic. While they don't comprehend the change, they believe they can stop it with traditional methods. Recalling how command staff press conferences were exalted by the media in the past, they are trying to show off by organizing press conferences with 36 people. But it is this very type of action that actually sends the message that they can no longer function. Every step they take to save themselves comes back to hit them like a boomerang.
The military commanders think accepting the situation is a sign of their weakness. They are used to controlling the country from behind the scenes, directing politicians as they please and having society accept it. The type of structure in question has turned into an institutional “status quo” for the military. But their decline in power over the society and politics implies that as an institution their functions are over; hence, they are using every last bit of power they have to stay alive. However, their options are very limited. They don't really know how to survive in a society where the law is autonomous. Therefore, they are scared. They are scared of becoming institutionally weak and from making the institution unmanageable. This psychology makes them even more anachronistic, and the boomerang comes back to hit them.
This is a process that Turkey is not used to. There is a need for feasible and stable positions more now then ever before en route to a state of law. Hopefully, the West is aware of this situation as well.
