Appeal to court stains CHP’s leftist identity, pundits agree

“Taking a ratified law to the top court is the extension of the CHP's anti-democratic spirit. Indeed, there is nothing positive to be expected from the main opposition party in the name of democracy. The CHP is no longer a leftist party. It is a republican, statist and nationalist party,” complained Hüseyin Ergün, the leader of the Social Democratic People's Party (SHP).

Ergün's remarks came as criticism of a move by the main opposition party on Monday to take a new law that allows military officers to be tried in civilian courts to the Constitutional Court for annulment, claiming that it was a violation of the Constitution, a move that did not come as a surprise to many, as the party previously hinted that it would stand against the law. The law was, however, approved in Parliament with the backing of all opposition parties, but the CHP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) later claimed that they had not been notified of the full scope of the legislative change. The law allows civilian courts to try members of the armed forces who are accused of such crimes as threats to national security, constitutional violations, organizing armed groups and attempts to topple the government. Esat Canan, a former CHP deputy, argued that Baykal's party can no longer be defined as a “leftist party.”

“Unfortunately, the CHP backs no attempt that could strengthen the rule of law or democracy in the country. It is no longer sincere in its discourse over democracy. Baykal is fully aware of the path to the Constitutional Court, but I wish he knew the path to democracy, as well,” Canan remarked.

Deniz Baykal

The CHP leader was also the center of harsh criticism due to inconsistency in his remarks and acts. The new legislation was, indeed, a result of remarks by Baykal himself, who stated last month that Turkey should settle accounts with the Sept. 12, 1980 coup. However, he later objected to the passage of the law to try military members in civilian tribunals. The head of the Revolutionist 78ers Federation, Ruşen Sümbüloğlu, said the CHP's appeal to the Constitutional Court was a strong indication of its determination to maintain the status quo in the country.

“The CHP stands by the status quo. However, the most fundamental condition of progressiveness is to stand against military coups. There is a wide belief in Turkey that you cannot even touch a button of the jacket of an army member,” he noted.

Ergun Babahan, a columnist with the Star daily, agreed and accused the main opposition party of working to block any attempt to curb the power of the military over civilians.

“There is harmonious cooperation between the CHP and the top court. With the change of political power in the country, the Constitutional Court laid aside its duty as an institution which checks the compliance of laws with the Constitution and took up the role of being a guardian of the status quo,” Babahan said. Several analysts, however, termed the approval of the law a “revolution” in civilian-military relations, as such a move will limit the power of the military over civilians.

Memduh Hacıoğlu, another former CHP deputy, expressed strong support for the passage of the new law, saying it could put an end to injustice between civilians and members of the military.

“Everyone should be able to be put before justice. There should be no difference between civilians and army members in justice,” he remarked. The CHP leader drew the indignation of others due to his controversial remarks over attempts by the military to meddle in the civilian realm. During an address to his deputies on Monday, Baykal claimed that the Turkish military has had no negative impact on the society, turning a blind eye to the fact that the military was the planner of several successful and failed coups against democratically elected governments. “Has the military ever been engaged in attempts that disturbed the society? Did it prevent you from electing your brother Abdullah Gül as president?” he asked.

In response, Haluk Özdalga -- a CHP-turned-Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy from Ankara -- asked if it was not the military itself which prepared plots against democracy. “Wasn't it the military that issued an e-memorandum as Parliament was voting to elect the new president?” Özdalga asked.

The notorious e-memorandum, which weighed on the presidential election process in 2007, was written by former Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt after he became angered over TV programs marking the annual festivities of the Holy Birth Week, held in the second half of April to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. In the meantime, a group of around 20 women, who defined themselves as anti-militarist, sent the uniform of a soldier to Baykal's office yesterday to protest the main opposition party's appeal to the top court.