CHP accuses Erdoğan of gett ing off ‘democracy tram’

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

The violent intervention against protesters at Taksim Square’s Gezi Park is an indication that the prime minister is preparing to “get off the democracy tram,” executives from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) have said, adding that the only government which has implemented “urban planning through police force” is the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

CHP executives – including deputy parliamentary group chair Akif Hamzaçebi; and deputy leaders Erdoğan Toprak and Faik Öztrak – hit out at Erdoğan regarding the clashes in Taksim. On May 31, Hamzaçebi said Erdoğan’s real purpose was only to enable some to acquire profits. “The prime minister’s point of view is not urbanism. Mr. Prime Minister’s horizon for urbanism is limited to shopping centers, residences, towers, villas, not Istanbul’s philosophical spirit.”

Toprak stated that “the AKP is the only government that implements urban planning through police force.” “In a democratic regime, if people are protesting against a decision, governments reconsider their decisions and decide towards people’s will.”

The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) described what protesters at Taksim Square encountered as “state terror.”
“The fact that most of those wounded ones were hit in their heads clearly shows that attacks were deliberate,” BDP deputy co-leader Meral Danış Beştaş said. BDP deputy Ertuğrul Kürkçü also criticized the raids. “We will not forgive them for shooting [BDP deputy] Sırrı Süreyya Önder in the shoulder with gas capsules. You cannot do this. You do not own the property, or the city. Allah owns the property, citizens own the property... What kind of a service is this? Down with your service.”