In the AKP (Justice and Development Party), everything has started to go wrong. The situation can’t be controlled anymore. Last week, we discussed the luxurious life style of AKP members. Last week was marked by the revelation that the President of Religious Affairs, Ali Erbaş, does not know Arabic and a member of the AKP municipal council in İzmit dramatically throwing himself to the ground as a stunt. Once things go downhill, it’s impossible to gather them up again. These are incidents that disturb the base and cause grumbling internally.
While trying to defend the high costs, someone said, “Why are we eating out like crazy, when we can make the same things at home for 3 liras!” Another commented, “Alcohol is expensive, sinning is expensive. It really prevents a lot of sins!” They make a mess while trying to fix things. Their comforts are being seriously shaken for the first time, and they see it. The vehicle they are in continues to speed, crashing into barriers without slowing down.
Is it different abroad? Until recently, every development benefited the government, and every time they were squeezed, the “conjuncture lords” would comfort Erdoğan. Last week, Ankara took two major hits. First, the German President showed how a country like Turkey should be visited. His tour of Istanbul with Ekrem İmamoğlu overshadowed his meetings in Ankara.
The second blow came from the USA. The White House has not officially confirmed Erdoğan’s US trip, which was canceled. Judging by all the available data, I can say: In exchange for lifting the NATO veto on Sweden at the bargaining table, Ankara secured this invitation, but the US side decided to trim the travel plan by dragging out the issue over time, leading Ankara to see that it wouldn’t get the desired outcome and had to give up.
The West no longer sends invitations to Erdoğan. The tension at the last forced visit to Germany with Chancellor Scholz didn’t escape the cameras. Outside NATO, G-20 summits, and such, Erdoğan can’t get a photo with Western leaders. At these summits, as many contacts as possible are arranged to create a photo gallery. For example, he went to the Climate Summit in Dubai just for this purpose.
It is seen and observed that world leaders are no longer giving Erdoğan the same space as before. Turkey has been an ineffective player since the beginning of the Gaza war right under its nose. To put it bluntly, they don’t want to pin the war or peace on Erdoğan.
The old climate is gone. Ankara can’t set the game anymore. For 10 years, the emperor has no clothes. One of my first articles on TR724 (November 15, 2016) was titled “I’m not playing anymore.” But it didn’t happen. While Erdoğan walks with the “legitimacy” granted by the opposition inside, he skillfully uses the “refugee card” outside.
The media neighborhood has also come to its senses. Friends are criticizing Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu while advising Özgür Özel, reminding him of “his support for lifting immunities” and “participation in the Yenikapı rally after July 15th.” I have a good memory; they never pressed these issues before.
My article on October 17, 2016, was titled “I hope this will be the last genocide in these lands.” On December 15, 2016, I wrote, “International law, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the Constitution are being sidelined. What they are preparing for society is to make this permanent.” Of course, I repeatedly stated that “this situation could not continue.” But it ended in disappointment. The course has still not been changed.
Some readers left comments like, “You were wrong, sir, the man won again.” I am not a prophet. Erdoğan made deals inside and outside to maintain his power every time. My hope has never run out. I have never supported any of the government’s policies over the years, and I guess I don’t deserve to be criticized by those who jump on the government train at every critical turn.
Remember, self-criticism is given by those in responsible positions, those within the execution. In this respect, Kılıçdaroğlu’s recent statement, “This system’s founder should not be negotiated with the palace, but fought against,” is a kind of implicit self-criticism. It is late but true. Unfortunately, it’s not a joyous occasion that a man, who has been the head of CHP for about 14 years (and previously deputy group leader in the parliament) and is of my father’s age, has reached this point today.
