A realistic look at Turkey’s ‘neorealism’

Now, in the 21st century, the movement that will dominate a Turkish citizen’s life will be “Turkish neorealism.”

First of all, Turkey absolutely does not need a new constitution. In fact, Turkey does not need any constitution whatsoever. This is because a certain powerful leader has proven that he can simply sweep aside the constitution. 

Secondly, Turkey does not even need the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). As of Sunday, May 22, the AKP has dissolved itself within the personality of the “chief.” It has become one with him. 

Thirdly, Turkey does not need a parliament. It does not need a national assembly. The country can be governed without a parliament. The parliament has no effectiveness of power left. 

Fourthly, Turkey does not need an opposition. The events we have experienced since the June 7, 2015 general election have demonstrated that the opposition, which overall won 50.5 percent of the vote of the people, does not have even the slightest effect. 

Fifthly, Turkey does not need elections. This is because if a party wins 49 percent, it is considered to be the vote of the entire population.


A recommendation for scorners 

The new Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım calls his wife “Mrs. Teacher.” He is very respectful in his manners. I can see now that in “our” neighborhood, some people are curling their lips. I can see plenty of nonsense on social media.   

After writing a piece in the past scorning a former head of the Central Bank, I was extremely embarrassed and  ashamed. I now have a recommendation for today’s scorners: Be careful. Otherwise you will also be sorry and embarrassed, like I was. 


Yıldırım to retire in İzmir?

I heard from a person who knows the new Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım that “he knows loyalty but he does not know obedience.”

When he lost his voice at the AKP convention on Sunday, I guess it was like a message from God, a heavenly message: “Be a doer, not a talker.”  

My criticism is that at one point in his speech, he used the word “bitch.” That word does not become Binali Yıldırım. He does not need that style at all.

Erzincan, his hometown, is justifiably dancing the “halay” in celebration. But the Aegean city of İzmir also saluted him with a giant banner atop a boat. Yıldırım is a deputy from İzmir and he has grown to be very fond of the city. As so many people from Erzincan, he will settle in İzmir when he retires.


How many more years of national chiefs? 

Between 1923 and 1938, the victorious commander of the Turkish War of Independence and founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was the national chief. 

We then went through the “single party-national chief” period between the years 1938 and 1946. It lasted for eight years. As it was everywhere, this was a tough period in Turkey, but at least we did not enter the war. 

From 1946 to May 22, 2016 we lived a multi-party life with many elections. For 70 years the economy grew at an average annual rate of 4 to 5 percent. We strengthened democracy. 

Now we are going back to the “single party-national chief” era. 

We managed to conclude our previous “national leader” and “national chief” eras without a national disaster. I hope we can also bring this era to an end without a national disaster.