On the morning of 19 March, Turkey entered a new phase as 87 people, including Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, were taken into custody. Imamoğlu was detained on charges of both corruption and alleged ‘terror’ offenses. Following the detentions, mass protests erupted across many parts of the country, with a strong emphasis on the need for a united struggle.
Labourist Movement Party (EHP) Chair Hakan Öztürk spoke to ANF, offering his assessment of the recent developments, the motivations behind the operation targeting Ekrem Imamoğlu, and the growing emphasis on the need for a united struggle.
The goal is to make the one-man regime permanent
Hakan Öztürk, said that the operation targeting Imamoğlu aims to cement the one-man regime once and for all. He said that whenever the government refers to a ‘process,’ what comes to their mind is the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) receiving 13 percent of the vote. He continued: “The goal here is to take a major step toward making the one-man regime permanent. At the same time, they are preemptively taking steps to prevent any significant democratic gains during the upcoming ceasefire process. What they’re essentially saying is: even in conditions where the guns fall silent and peace is realized, we will still not let you breathe. From their perspective, they have learned their lesson from the previous resolution process. When they hear the word ‘process,’ they recall the Gezi protests, HDP securing 13 percent of the vote, and the loss of their ability to govern alone. This time, they seem determined to tighten control even further. It appears they intend to leave no room for any kind of democratic opposition—blocking every action, launching lawsuits against everyone, suffocating the press, and doing everything possible to sabotage elections. Their goal is to prevent any democratic struggle—be it legal, political, or civic—from succeeding. What we are witnessing now is a new phase in their attempt to block all legal and democratic avenues. While there is talk of disarmament and bringing an end to the former organizational structure, İmamoğlu is being prosecuted for allegedly aiding that very organization. For a time, we will be faced with this contradictory picture. It is contradictory because the organization in question is reportedly being dismantled. Acting as if this is not the case is unsustainable. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) will push the process in this direction. But we are not—and must not be—standing idly by. As they escalate their pressure, we will resist. The accusation of aiding a non-existent organization, repeated over and over, will eventually lose its meaning and become ineffective.”
AKP is deeply afraid of lasting peace
Hakan Öztürk stated that the AKP is afraid of both the permanence of peace and the possibility of losing the presidential election. He continued: “There’s no use letting fear delay the inevitable.” The depth of their fear is clear: the Justice and Development Party is terrified of peace becoming permanent and of losing the presidency. What could be worse for the AKP?
Kurds, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), and the left must join forces in a shared democratic struggle. There is no other option, and these segments cannot be separated from one another. Their fates are intertwined when it comes to democracy. The Kurdish struggle to sustain peace is, without a doubt, a contribution to democracy. This is not up for debate—it requires no abstract justification. In the previous process, we saw that the Kurdish movement did not diverge from the struggle against the one-man regime. In fact, that peace process created the conditions that enabled the Gezi resistance, the HDP’s strong presence in parliament, and the AKP losing its ability to govern alone. These examples clearly show how the struggles for peace and democracy are inseparably linked. That has not changed.”
Öztürk emphasized that the Kurdish movement has opposed the operation targeting Ekrem Imamoğlu and does not support the one-man regime. He concluded: “The Kurdish movement naturally opposes the operation against Imamoğlu. A people who have suffered so greatly under this regime cannot, and will not, support it. If an alternative emerges that can bring an end to the one-man rule, the Kurdish movement will support it. If an example is needed, we should remember how clearly they did so in the previous presidential election.
AKP does not know how to engage in political struggle without using ‘terror’ as an excuse. In the coming period, they will be like a fish out of water—they won’t be able to find an enemy, a scapegoat, or a demon to blame. The operation against Imamoğlu appears to be the first major move following the call for disarmament. And even in this very first instance, the accusation of aiding an armed group appears utterly baseless and absurd. Once we set aside these fabricated terrorism charges, we can roll up our sleeves for a broad and united political struggle. Under these conditions, the AKP still lacks real experience in true political competition. But we know how to wage political resistance—and how to mobilize the masses.”
Source: ANF News
