Let’s write a constitution without bloodshed
We previously heard the word “blood” in Turkish politics from the late Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of the Islamist Welfare Party. “We will come to power, that’s for sure. But I don’t know whether it will be with or without blood,” Erbakan once famously said.
In the end it was not him, but Tayyip Erdoğan - who was sort of one of his pupils - who came to government. God helped Turkey and this happened without shedding blood.
Those who came to government without bloodshed should remain in place without shedding blood. This is written in the universal contract of democracy.
But two sentiments can distract you from your path: Power and fear.
The first sentiment can lead you to oppress all dissenting voices in order to stay alone in the summit. The second is the feeling that every living creature is sprawled under the threat of attack or annihilation.
The first is oriented to eliminate; the second is to save oneself from being eliminated. The first is the attack of the government; the second is the defense reflex of the one who is cornered.
But once blood starts being shed, the situation deteriorates to become a vendetta. That’s why dictatorship is the worst disaster that a nation can be subjected to. Dictatorship is a castle built on a lake of blood.
This is why we need a constitution that the whole nation can defend as “ours,” rather than one imposed by one person or one group on the whole nation.
The word “blood” is like a Pandora’s Box. It is very dangerous and we should never open it.
De facto presidential system
Following his recent talks in Brussels, Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister Volkan Bozkır said it openly. “We will determine the kind of stance we will endorse under the instructions of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,” he said.
Clearly, there is no longer a prime minister. There is no longer a parliament. Everything is between the lips of the president.
Think of these names
Each of the following names is individually very powerful and influential.
Abdullah Gül...
He was the head of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). Then he became prime minister. He also served as president. He has incredible state experience and an international reputation. His name was never involved in any corruption allegations. His personality was of calm power.
Ahmet Davutoğlu...
He was foreign minister and then prime minister. He established good relations with the West. Don’t underestimate his future. His personality was of calm power.
Bülent Arınç, Ali Babacan…
All of these political figures, now discarded, represent a calm power. That is something Turkey longs for these days.
Dear Turkish women
Women in Saudi Arabia last week gained perhaps their most important right so far. From now on, every marrying Saudi woman will get a copy of their marriage certificate. Until now this certificate was given only to men. From now on, women will learn whether they really have been officially married or not and they will know their rights deriving from their marriage.
There are many women in Turkey, with or without the headscarf, who swear each day at Atatürk. I don’t know whether you are married or not. May God give you happiness if you are married. But when it comes to your legal rights, Atatürk granted them to you.
Don’t forget that you live in such a Muslim country that the official who conducts your marriage gives the certificate first to the woman.
