What kind of reconciliation?

Star's Eser Karakaş complains about how the term reconciliation is used randomly in politics without paying much heed to what it really means. "There is reconciliation in the nature of politics; however, reconciliation cannot be sought in law or in relations that should be governed by the principles of state of law," explains Karakaş. In his view, reconciliation cannot be sought for every issue in politics and some efforts for reconciliation totally contradict with the nature of politics, democracy and law. According to his own understanding of the term, reconciliation should be reached before the elections; it is a process that should take place before asking the nation to make its choice. "Reconciliation after the elections is only possible if the distribution of deputies make a coalition government essential," he notes, emphasizing that the important thing for the government is not to contradict universal law in its actions. "Interestingly enough, the issues on which opponents of the government ask it to reach reconciliation in Turkey totally disagree with universal law and fundamental human rights," says Karakaş.

Bugün's Gülay Göktürk dwells on the increasing calls from the opposition circles asking the government to take reconciliatory steps to ease the concerns of some segments of society about secularism following the conclusion of the closure case against the AK Party. She interprets these calls as meaning that the AK Party should give up its identity and should adopt their values. She notes that as long as it fails to do this, the opposition will not feel secure. This is what they mean when they call for reconciliation, she explains. Göktürk says those who chant slogans asking the government not to interfere in their lifestyles are actually trying to make it acceptable for them to interfere in the lifestyles of those who are in power. "The AK Party will not accept giving up its identity and values, so all the talk about reconciliation will continue," she notes.