The CHP also more contemporary in economic policies

Perceptions regarding the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) seem to be changing. Not only domestically, but with the effect of contacts in EU countries and neighboring countries, and recently the CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s U.S. trip, it can be said that the view of the CHP has started changing in the positive sense. 

The management of the last headscarf crisis in Parliament by the CHP in a much milder way has also played an important role in changing the perception. In short, from the political point of view, the fact that the CHP has adopted a more pragmatic and non-clashing attitude looks like an important step in terms of reaching wider masses. 

We also see that the CHP, not only in the political field, but also in the economic field, is engaged in a search for more contemporary policies. Actually, these efforts are not new, but we can say that, for a while, the CHP’s policies, a party that is known for its statist character, have changed a great extent, and that a mentality supporting a more just income distribution within the market economy is now settled. In other words, the CHP is no longer discussing the market economy, and it has no hesitation now about generating policies within the “social market concept.” 

Last Monday, the CHP organized an economy workshop with international experts, which I attended. I can easily say the contemporary economic line has now settled. The fact is that the pursuits, in terms of economic policies, in the meeting were not only for Turkey but also for the global social democratic movement, and this actually showed the conceptual stage that the party has reached. 

In the meeting, serious debates were held all day long on topics such as the world economy, employment, trade and growth, the future of Europe, social and financial policies, income distribution and social democratic policies. The future of the world, Europe, the global economy, Turkey’s position, and what needs to be done were also discussed. While it was noticed how well-prepared the moderator of the debate, Kemal Derviş, was, CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu listened from the beginning until the end and constantly took notes.

Swedish and British examples

Important names for Europe and the union, such as Pascal Lamy and Javier Solana, along with Derviş, ensured that the future of Europe was comprehensively discussed during the meeting. Developments in the global economy, as well as Turkey’s position in it, were discussed through more European lenses, we can say.

The shape that the economic crisis in the eurozone will take, expectations for Spain, Italy and Greece, what kind of a picture is anticipated in the outcome of the elections to be held in May in the European Parliament, and how this will affect the future of Europe, were all discussed in detail.

During the meeting, the referendum to be held in the U.K. on membership to the EU and whether it would be right for Turkey to stay out of the eurozone, like the Sweden and the U.K., were thoroughly discussed. Hopefully, the CHP’s pursuits for contemporary and new policies will continue with determination.