Turkish main opposition CHP calls for unity against AKP-led ‘media coup’

Okan Konuralp ANKARA

Kılıçdaroğlu suggested that Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu was unaware of the operation, the instructions for which were given by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. AA Photo

The leader of Turkey’s main opposition has called on all opposition groups to stand against the “coup plotted by the government against democracy,” following raids against members of the Gülen movement.

Republican People's Party (CHP) head Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu also expressed concern that the mainstream media "could soon feel the government’s wrath."

“All legal oddities witnessed during the Sept. 12 coup d’état are now being observed today. What the AKP [Justice and Development Party] is doing is a coup against democracy. We should all stand together, right and left, on the basis of freedoms,” Kılıçdaroğlu told daily Hürriyet on Dec. 15, adding that he feared the Dec. 14 raids, which were directed at media groups linked to the Gülen community, could soon be expanded to other mainstream media outlets.

“Those who want freedom in this country should come together. Democracy should be our common ground. If we come together on that ground and strengthen it, then it will be a lot easier for us to resolve our problems. Plus, we should also get the intellectuals of the modern world on our side,” he said.

Hinting that the Gülen community’s media had ignored some of the suffering in previous important cases such as Ergenekon and “Balyoz” (Sledgehammer), Kılıçdaroğlu called on the group to engage in "self-criticism."

“At the point we have reached, the writers of the [Gülen] community and its media outlets should engage in self-criticism,” he said.

'PM has no information about operation'

The CHP head also suggested that Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu was unaware of the operation, as its instructions were given by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

“The operation was announced by the president. The prime minister had no information [about it]. Shouldn’t he be aware of it?” Kılıçdaroğlu said, questioning the prime minister's authority.

Kılıçdaroğlu said the operation was designed by the ruling party to consolidate its power in Parliament, while calling on AKP lawmakers not to fall into the same trap that they fell into in approving a controversial recent security bill that extends considerable new authority to the police.

“I am calling on all AKP lawmakers who have consciences: Don’t be deceived. Democracy is needed for everyone,” he said.