Turkey has been going through a very critical period for quite a while, in terms of economy and politics mainly. Murat Yetkin is a prominent Turkish journalist who wrote a very important article about such issues.
Down below we are sharing an “excerpt” from his article providing much insight.
“MUNICIPALITIES, THE MOST IMPORTANT LOCAL POWER
Despite having their authorities and resources trimmed, local governments still hold significant importance.
According to the results of the March 31 elections, today approximately 74% of Turkey’s population is governed by opposition party municipalities. Furthermore, all of the provinces with the largest economies have transitioned to the CHP (Republican People’s Party); 73% of the national income is now under the administration of CHP municipalities. Despite political power’s obstructions, municipalities are a crucial power center. It seems likely that future political leaders will emerge from among mayors, much like in France.
Moreover, the key figures in large corporations, pro-government private sectors, armed forces, parliament, mafia, and religious orders also share the task of governing the state according to their proximity to power, albeit behind closed doors.
Media moguls were once among these significant power centers. We have learned their stories of forming governments, setting policies, and distributing tenders.
Those who believe that such a valuable region like Turkey cannot be left on its own argue that the U.S. decides who controls the power in Ankara, with occasional involvement from the EU, Israel, Russia, and China, who might try to insert their men into the power arena with varying degrees of success.
Those playing for power almost without exception take a trip to Washington, introduce themselves to Jewish lobbies and financial circles, and aim to get a green light from them.
It is hard to confirm or deny this.
A Difficult Country to Govern
It is a fact that perhaps the country is governed not by a single power but by a coalition of different structures, open and hidden forces. I have witnessed and continue to witness that this proposition is largely true while working within the state, international organizations, and the business world, interacting with the world’s significant behind-the-scenes power centers.
It can be said that governing a country with so many stakeholders is not easy.
Just as Charles de Gaulle said for France, “Is it easy to govern a country with 258 varieties of cheese?” Over time, both the number of cheeses and the challenges complicating the country’s governance have increased. Macron, it seems, is unable to cope and manage France effectively.
Imagine a country with a population of 85 million, nearing 15 million refugees and migrants, and almost 40% of the population below the poverty line. The economy relies more on rent (profits) income rather than production and innovation. We face serious risks in foreign policy and security areas. Today, only the economic fragility we are in, the widening gap between the rich and the poor, ethnic, religious, and social fault lines, the declining quality in education, the inability to reach the world league in technology and innovation, lack of financing, potential earthquakes, and climate warming and similar challenges are evident. We have become a battleground for leading intelligence services.
Is it easy to govern a country like Turkey?
Indeed, governing a country like Turkey is one of the toughest jobs in the world.
Although we are at an extremely strategic crossroads, the ruthlessness of our geography gives us a cold shower when we start to name our neighbors.
We are surrounded by bloody ethnic, religious, and political conflicts. The Russia-Ukraine war, Azerbaijan-Armenia in the Caucasus, Iran in the Gulf, Syria in the south, Houthis in the Red Sea, Kosovo in the Balkans, Moldova, the struggle for influence in the Eastern Mediterranean, the occupation of Gaza by Israel.
Being the heir to the Ottoman Empire, which collapsed and almost 50 states emerged from it, both imposes heavy responsibilities on us and creates many serious problems that have not been solved until today.
Neither neighboring countries that use terrorism in proxy wars nor so-called Western “allies” give us peace. There is no democratic regime left among our neighbors.
Moreover, for quite a while, we have lacked intelligent leadership, competent cadres, and mechanisms to manage all these severe crises and future opportunities. The new generation does not see light at the end of the tunnel for the future.
Many tasks are carried out by trial and error. Unfortunately, despite trillions of dollars in tax and privatization revenues and heavy borrowing over the past 22 years, we have not made significant progress; hundreds of billions of dollars worth of wealth has been wasted, resources have been plundered. We face a massive mountain of debt that needs to be repaid.
For 21st Century Leadership and Management?
It is not rocket science to achieve this, to bring the country back to a rising trajectory.
Looking at good governance examples in the world, we see what the solution is.
The country’s number one priority is to increase the ever-deteriorating quality of education, in my opinion. No sacrifice should be spared for this. It is not about how much resources are allocated to the Ministry of Education, universities, and physical facilities but rather the efforts to strengthen contemporary education and teaching content, teaching/education staff, and the connection with real life that truly matter.
The answer to the question “What kind of education” is much more important than the question “How much budget?”
Technology has significantly shortened the time for countries to leap forward and advance in the global league. If we are not mentioned today in areas like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and renewable energy, if we have not raised a generation that is democratic, tolerant, conscientious, and moral, if the business world does not have global competitive power, if the primary goal of public administration is not defined as providing citizens with development based on ecological principles, quality healthcare, environment, and infrastructure, then the country is not well-governed.
Abiding by laws and rules applied equally to everyone, showing no favoritism, ensuring meritocracy, and maintaining trust in justice are indispensable for well-governed countries.
In countries like ours where institutions are not well-established, it is still crucial for the leader to be influential, charismatic, and credible.
Knowing both the country and its people well, learning lessons from its history, having a future vision compatible with global dynamics, effectively concluding tasks, and having the ability to form and operate a competent team are equally important.
The Turkish people are open to learning and innovation
It is just that the right people with the right rhetoric need to come forward. If we allow low-quality individuals to run the country, if people with dubious pasts, wealth, and governance manage the country, it can lead to disaster.
Foreign investment will not come to a country where there is no safety for life and property, where the law does not function, and where uncertainties about the future increase. Those who come will only employ a hit-and-run tactic. Local capital will also seek ways to flee the country.
Limits of New Leadership
A country that pays $2 million in interest every hour has little chance of escaping an economic crisis. The incoming foreign funds now come with severe conditions, causing vulnerabilities in Ankara’s foreign policy and security, and opening breaches in jealously guarded national interests.
Looking at the political calendar ahead, there are no elections for about 4 years and 2 months. In such a scenario, forming a new alternative while continuing with a strong leader like President Erdoğan, against a government with a majority in parliament, may not be easy.
This does not mean that the 2024 election results will not create a “lame duck” syndrome and will not affect the road to 2028.
If, in my opinion, the people’s strong message is not well understood and necessary corrections are not made, it is not a weak proposition to foresee that these results will upset the existing balances and that potential new leaders emerging will aim to govern Turkey.
Of course, opposition must create successful governance in municipalities without any excuses despite all political obstructions.
Meanwhile, the legitimate government in Ankara will certainly not sit idly by. The government will also strive for a new vision, cadre, and leadership, internalizing the messages of the recent elections.
The Game and Players are Changing
If the claim that “Turkey is not governed by Erdoğan or Bahçeli; it is governed by a stronger and deeper intellect” is true, then undoubtedly, other powerful power centers will also try to reposition themselves in light of succession scenarios after Erdoğan (and Bahçeli).
In the current global context where the game, players, and rules are constantly changing, to survive and ensure the welfare, internal peace, and security of our people, we must be strong in the economy, technology, domestic politics, foreign policy, and armed forces.
A governable democracy is essential, but dependence on a single leader with absolute power and an overly centralized public governance system will not lead us to our goals; it will slow the system down or even paralyze it.
We experience this day by day.
It is crucial to govern Turkey within a democracy framework that is transparent, accountable, intelligent, based on merit and legal principles, with a solid future vision, and strong execution, where power is shared.”
Thanks to Murat YETKIN for the valuable insight provided in the article.
Link for original article in Turkish: https://yetkinreport.com/2024/04/24/turkiyeyi-kim-yonetiyor/
