Government program without a program

The government program was discussed at Parliament Sept. 4, thus fulfilling one of the tasks on the “to do” list.

This is the program of “new Turkey’s new government,” but to be frank, it is a text that praises the “old government of the old Turkey.” This is normal, indeed, because what is called the new government of new Turkey has one new prime minister and three new ministers.

This, actually, is the old Recep Tayyip Erdoğan government and this claim of being “new” does not go beyond a self-proclaimed one.

Before the government program was read, it was clear there were two topics this government prioritized. One of them was the “peace process” and the other was “the fight against the parallel structure.”

The prime minister would coordinate the peace process himself, while Bülent Arınç would be responsible for it as the deputy prime minister.

And even before the government program was read, meetings were held regarding these two topics. However, there are no details in the government’s program on how this process will proceed, as well as what the kinds of laws that would be enacted to bring about peace.

I have not seen anything but vague expressions.

Putting an end to terror, disarming the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), re-integrating the ex-members of the PKK into society and opening the way to democratic politics will all be done, but how are these all going to be achieved? It’s difficult to know from the recent government program.

If the way to democratic politics is to be opened, then how is this possible with a 10 percent election threshold? If democratic politics are to be adopted, then what will be done to eliminate the current obstacles concerning the freedom of expression?

It looks as if words about the “peace process” do not mean anything further than providing a terror-free environment until the next elections. 

And as long as the target of reaching the majority in Parliament in order to be able to change the Constitution is the government’s “top priority,” no step will be taken on this matter.

Because taking these steps would mean angering the grassroots of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), votes the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) hope to attain. 

For this reason, we will frequently hear words such as the “peace process” and “road map,” but in reality, we will not be able to learn what happens until after the next elections.

As a matter of fact, there is no need for the Chief of General Staff to be worried about the road map, because the government doesn’t exactly know either.

That palace suits Erdoğan very much!

President Erdoğan will shatter a tradition of the Republic of Turkey by using the “Prime Ministry building,” which is currently being built in the Atatürk Forest Farm, as the new Presidential palace.
As a matter of fact, that suits him well.

I don’t see anything more normal then Erdoğan, who did not even hesitate to violate the Constitution before he took office, to work in an “illegal” building that was declared unlawful by the Court. Even before he ran for office, didn’t he say: “Whatever the Court decides, that building is going to be built and I will work there?”

For this reason, there is no point of talking about the meaning of the White House for the United States, the significance of the Elysee Palace, the Kremlin or the fact that nobody would even consider moving away from No. 10 Downing Street.

We know that the cause he keeps referring to is essentially about the secular republic.

He even felt free to call the founders of the republic “drunkards.” When he talks about “our ancestors,” his voice trembles because of the Ottoman admiration he cherishes within his heart.

After all he has done, it is not too much that he is burying the Çankaya Mansion into history, is it?