Notes on Ahmet Davutoğlu’s performance

I took some notes while Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu was reading out the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) election manifesto at the April 15 ceremony.

When he shouts, Davutoğlu cannot be like Tayyip Erdoğan. If he does not shout, he is more like himself and can be a lot better.

The AK Party used to select very nice “election songs.” But it looks as if there has been a slight decline. I really like the new song “Bize Her Yer Türkiye” [Everywhere Is Turkey For Us], but apart from that song, the others were not so good. They actually reminded me of old election songs.

Personally, I think the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) “applause”-themed campaign is a total fiasco. But according to Davutoğlu it is quite a success. Otherwise, would he have referred to the CHP’s applause-themed campaign more than 20 times during the ceremony?

Davutoğlu said the AK Party is targeting “60 percent” in the election. I guess he said this because he did not want to repeat, “I want 400 deputies” and therefore look like somebody else we know. Frankly, it was a good idea.

The AK Party leader also asked watching party members, “We are going to protect the ballot boxes, aren’t we?” I wonder how much more they can protect them…

A political party that has for a full 12 years admired the height, the posture, the walk, the moves, and the conduct of its leader, would naturally seek similar traits in its new leader. I guess this is also one of Davutoğlu’s problems.

To me, it seemed like a wrong idea to read a manifesto from a booklet to party members who have filled the hall with enthusiasm and excitement. I wish Prime Minister Davutoğlu had organized a press conference for the manifesto; then it would have received the attention it deserved.

“There will be no economic development without democracy and rule of law,” Davutoğlu said. I smiled to myself and thought, “I wish he had explained this to the presidential advisor, Yiğit Bulut.”

He referred to the presidential system once, in only one sentence. He read that section quickly.  What I remember from that section is the phrase, “a presidential system with checks and balances.” Let me tell you, Erdoğan will not like this.
 “Are you ‘in’ for saying ‘enough’ and letting the people have their say?” Davutoğlu asked. That’s all well and good, but haven’t the people been having their say for the past 12 years? For whom is “enough” enough, for God’s sake?

The HDP and the threshold

If the following three things happen, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) will cross the threshold:
First, if a widespread sentiment is created of “let our party cross the threshold so that there will not be any embarrassment,” it will happen. (A similar sentiment was created during Demirtaş’s presidential candidacy.)

Second, if the stance of “If the HDP crosses the threshold, then the presidential system Erdoğan wants will not be formed,” can be adequately explained to the Turkish public, then it could happen. (Demirtaş, with his one sentence declaration last month, was able to make a significant start on the matter.)

Third, if terror, arms, violence, provocation, funerals, blood and martyrs are not allowed and the election process is completed peacefully, then it could happen. (The recent incidents in Ağrı show that this will be very difficult.)