Eyes on Prime Minister Erdoğan’s Move to Solve the Boycott Crisis
The government of Turkey has been facing a very vital political crisis for some time regarding the pro-Kurdish BDP’s (Peace and Democracy Party) decision to boycott the parliament because their elected deputy has been blocked from the legislature.
On Tuesday YSK (the Supreme Election Board) had decided to ban BDP-supported independent candidate Hatip from representing Diyarbakır in the parliament.
The BDP’s decision came in response to the Supreme Election Board, or YSK’s, Tuesday decision stripping BDP-backed independent candidate Hatip Dicle of his right to represent Diyarbakır.
Common sense requires that the government finds a way to overcome or somehow bypass concerned banning decision much criticized by the opinion leaders, media and related groups.
In fact PM Erdoğan is certainly determined (and obliged) to solve the problem and has already got down to work with his “opinion team”. The PM however has not made any signals of a positive approach to the demand that another pro-Kurdish deputy fill the place of the banned BDP deputy.
The prime minister and the government are aware how delicate the issue is and are certainly concerned that the boycott could affect the parliament in a most negative manner and further trigger bigger turmoil throughout the country.
Looking at the issue from that point of view, it is almost unavoidable for them to display a positive approach to waive concerned crisis. On the other hand however, their current situation is not much different from an acrobat dancing on a rope trying to keep balance not to fall down, as they are exposed to great pressure from a nationalist wing (to include political parties and tens of millions of nationalistic citizens) not in very good terms with pro-Kurdish movement recently.
In the meantime, AKP has not shown much interest in an alternative formula brought up by independent deputies (backed by BDP) suggesting Hatip Dicle’s seat in Parliament remain empty – instead of slating Oya Eronat (AKP deputy) to replace his seat.
On the other hand AK Parti, the winner of elections may have to face the risk of not being able to establish a legal government – as maintained by some BDP deputies – because the 20th article of Parliament’s internal regulations states that parliamentary commissions cannot be voted on or operate without the participation of the BDP.
Experts indicate that it would be practically impossible to form an administration cabinet, to conduct a vote of confidence and hold meetings on the government program in a locked parliament, meaning a legal government to take up the urgent awaiting issues of the country could hardly be established, under those conditions.
That is exactly why AK Parti may have to go through the biggest challenge of all times since they first came to power many years ago.
When a politically and economically strong Turkey that has solved its problems is in question, all rivals of AK parti including CHP and MHP in the first place should no doubt be ready to contribute to the issue sacrificing on their own political benefits, to the benefit of the country. Such a constructive and patriotistic approach would certainly receive a big applause from the whole nation as well and reflect to their rate of received votes in the next elections
It is time to adopt the motto “ONE FOR ALL & ALL FOR ONE”.
Editor
BUSINESS TURKEY TODAY
26 June 2011
