CHP highlights liberal democracy

Rifat Başaran – ANKARA

AA Photo

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) head Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu stressed the need for liberal democracy in Turkey, at the first meeting of the CHP’s new party assembly.

Speaking at the opening of the first meeting after a new assembly was elected at the party’s convention on Jan. 17, Kılıçdaroğlu said Turkey needed a liberal democracy and vowed to bring it to the country. 

“We need a fourth revolution; we need the liberal democracy revolution,” said Kılıçdaroğlu, adding that his party was ready to pay a price if needed in order to reach this target. 

Kılıçdaroğlu called on Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu to also bring liberal democracy to the country. “We are ready. If you are too, let us jointly bring democracy,” Kılıçdaroğlu said referring to Davutoğlu. 

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was re-elected as chair of the CHP for his fourth consecutive term at his party’s convention on Jan. 16-17, saying he aimed to renew the CHP’s management with “more new and young faces.”

Kılıçdaroğlu stated that the first three revolutions were the establishment of the republic after fighting an independence war. The second revolution was bringing democracy to the country for the freedom of speech, while the third one was the bringing of social democracy. However, he added, Turkey had failed to yet bring a liberal democracy to its people and announced it as the party’s new aim. 

Kılıçdaroğlu also announced a new manifesto on the party’s vision for Turkey’s future, as debates continue for the start of drafting a new constitution. 

For its first item, Kılıçdaroğlu said, “We do not want a state that holds a stick in his hand,” referring to the state being held accountable for its acts. 

As for its second item, he underlined a first class democracy, followed by the independency of the judiciary. 

Kılıçdaroğlu proposed that the laws regarding elections and political parties be rewritten so that the government’s “tutelage over the parliament” ends. 

Freedom of expression took fifth place on his manifesto. “We would betray our minds if we cannot tell our thoughts,” said the CHP head, asking how Turkey could be part of the civilized world without its people being able to freely express ideas. 

Thus, in line with freedom of expression, Kılıçdaroğlu said the party wished for a free press. He proposed to write media freedom as a fourth power in the new constitution after the three main powers: legislative, executive and judiciary. 

Kılıçdaroğlu also underlined the importance of social reconciliation, freedom of religion, free universities and a humanitarian-focused-state, “which does not abandon its citizens to capitalism’s brutalities.”