The Dissolution of CHP

The Republican People's Party, born from the Kuvayı Milliye, Müdafaa-i Hukuk, our National War of Independence, and the People's Party, is the history and memory of the 103-year-old Republic of Turkey, having pioneered the liberation and establishment of our country, and is the party founded by Atatürk.

Today, our country is going through a very dangerous process. In every sector imaginable, from law to justice, education to health, agriculture to animal husbandry, economy to industry, a great stagnation and decay is being experienced. Our democratic and secular republic is on the verge of being abolished, our country has been pushed into a process of division, religious sects and communities have been made influential in every matter, and the economic crisis is deeply shaking society.

At this stage, the 103-year-old CHP is sought to be destroyed. Despite all these developments, people are debating 'who is right,' 'who is an Atatürkist,' 'who is more nationalist,' 'who is more democratic.' What truly needs to be debated today is this: Will CHP continue to exist, or will it be eliminated along with its more than a century-long historical accumulation?

The problem is not Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Ekrem İmamoğlu, or Özgür Özel; it is not a leadership race, a party congress debate, or a personal reckoning. All of these are perception operations prepared for the great transformation taking place. The real reason for this operation is the shaping of the future of the Republic of Turkey through the future of CHP.

Today, we are faced with the elimination of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk – who for the first time achieved victory against the imperialism that has exploited the world for 300 years – and the elimination of our country, both through the CHP. For 103 years, and especially after Atatürk's death, CHP has made significant mistakes; there have been major errors in the choices made and in historical responsibilities. Defending CHP does not mean defending all its mistakes and its leaders.

Today, with the support of imperialism, CHP is sought to be eliminated. There are those who support this, from within and without, knowingly or unknowingly; willingly or unwillingly. Society, rightly, is following certain individuals who appear strong but about whom there is insufficient information, in order to get rid of the 23-year AKP rule. The elimination of CHP is not merely the destruction of a political party. It is the elimination of Atatürk's principles and revolutions, the elimination of the secular and democratic republic, the elimination of our country's indivisible integrity, the elimination of modern, scientific, secular education, the elimination of the social state, and the elimination of the democratic governance option.

Despite all its known mistakes, CHP is a common meeting point for millions of people. Defending and protecting CHP does not mean abandoning criticism. We must strongly criticize CHP until it is restored to its founding principles. However, we must also oppose with all our might any attempts to eliminate CHP.

Today, embracing CHP does not, and should not, mean endorsing the decision of absolute nullity (mutlak butlan) or endorsing Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. When Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu became the party leader, he initiated the 'New CHP' discourse. Now, as a continuation of the same process, the CHP as it was is gone, only the new one remains, and a New Party has been established. The salvation of CHP cannot come with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu or Özgür Özel, because salvation cannot be expected from these establishment politicians who are no different from each other. One should not expect hope from Özgür Özel and his team, who never spoke out against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's mistakes, because ideologically they are travelers on the same path. Indeed, the inclusion of articles such as 'democratic solution to the Kurdish issue,' 'right to education in the mother tongue,' and 'full implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government' in the New Party's program gives people an idea about this matter – but only to those who read and understand.

Superficially, and to avoid alienating the voting electorate, allegiance to Atatürk is occasionally emphasized. For those who declare they will ensure the security of the US, NATO, and the EU, who advocate for a free market economy, and who unite with separatists, speaking of Atatürk is nothing more than hypocrisy. The new party, which is claimed to be inclusive, suffers from ideological ambiguity. Therefore, just as CHP's current mistakes cannot be defended, the dispersal of the 103-year-old CHP's historical accumulation must not be allowed.

The problem is not who the leaders of CHP are. The problem is whether CHP, and with it Turkey's future, will exist. Therefore, the elimination of CHP means the elimination of the Republic of Turkey. We must remain within CHP and consciously and resolutely fight against absolute nullity (mutlak butlan), the leaders, and the new party.

Suay Karaman