The DP, which is led by Hüsamettin Cindoruk, has been criticized for having distanced itself from the democratic sensibilities of its past, and figures in the party’s ranks whose democratic credentials are viewed with suspicion give those pessimistic about the merger further grounds for concern.Bugün’s Ahmet Taşgetiren describes the merger of the DP and ANAVATAN as an “unpromising situation,” although he says he would very much like this party to become a successful alterative to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). Taşgetiren says the reason why he is unenthusiastic about this merger is the individuals who are in the top ranks of the DP. “First of all, this merger has nothing to do with DP tradition. When the DP is in question, I always remember the line of former Prime Minister and DP leader Adnan Menderes [who was executed following a military coup in 1960]. There has also been a Masonic faction in the DP since it was established [which does not have any popular support]. There have always been two groups within the DP. Looking at today’s picture, it is possible to say that the Masonic faction of the DP swallowed ANAVATAN and a party emerged that uses the name DP but lacks its democratic sprit,” explains Taşgetiren.
According to Milliyet’s Taha Akyol, who is not especially hopeful regarding the future of the DP, Cindoruk’s merged party was stillborn and stands no chance of being successful or attracting the figures it wants to join the party’s ranks. Explaining that a center party is another name for a pro-state party, Akyol says a party with the ability to create balance against the AK Party -- which faces a weak opposition and thus is accused of using “excessive power,” leading to tension -- cannot be a center party, which is equal to a pro-state party, and can only be a center right party, which will renew itself. “Cindoruk’s party was stillborn,” Akyol says.
Sabah’s Nazlı Ilıcak is also pessimistic and says the merger does not seem to have any hope of being successful at the moment, but being cautious, she says things can change quickly in politics. “Cindoruk says his party is at the ‘democratic center.’ I really wish this were the case, but the current figures in the party seem far removed from this description,” Ilıcak says.
