Empty criticism: A politics of procrastination

With the hope that the Turkish opposition, its progressives, and its republicans will finally come of age...

Due to the effect of remaining in the opposition for many years, "our side" grows and shrinks based on reactions.

It cannot seem to establish, or is unable to establish, a founding and constructive political line.

It does not watch the moves of the other side, cannot foresee them, and does not try to foresee them. Because these are missing, it cannot prepare for counter-moves.

It resembles a novice chess player who plans only based on their own moves.

One reason for this is that we are trapped in echo chambers. Unfortunately, by constantly propagandizing to ourselves, we have begun to detach from reality.

We have become unable to hear the weaknesses of the opposition and the figures within it. As such, we have settled for merely fending off the moves of the other side. Because we could not prepare in advance.

We have not placed Turkey's priorities and problems at the center. For this reason, we have not put our minds to policies that address these priorities and solve these problems. For example, we have not produced any meaningful or memorable policy on any of the issues such as Turkey's foreign trade deficit and energy import problem; the water crisis; the earthquake and urbanization problem; the flight of productive capital to finance and abroad; or social polarization, etc.

In interviews I held with a friend, we sadly realized that no party other than the ruling power has an assessment of the current situation under the headings of Turkey's energy problems and energy transformation, let alone the slightest realistic policy.

Judicial packages are being announced one after another. The opposition cannot offer meaningful, concrete, or effective criticism or solutions for almost any of them. In essence, the deputies of the ruling parties do not have much to say on these matters either. But the bureaucracy under the direction and management of the political power, or behind it, is working tooth and nail on this. Thanks to the functioning of the state mechanism, the ruling party's deputies appear to be taking steps on this issue. But in reality, the entire political institution is in a state of collapse.

We suffered an election defeat in 2023. Since that date, we have been bickering with each other; we are finding palliative solutions to the ruling power's moves and are busy pooling reactions.

We are passing the day with empty criticisms. We are not putting our minds to Turkey's priorities and problems; we are not organizing those who do. Moreover, we are not organizing the qualified, pioneering, and concerned segments of society. From the citizen in the most remote corner to the white-collar worker or bureaucrat in the most critical position, everyone whom the opposition cannot manage and instead merely "stirs up" is content with showing reaction on social media and/or within their immediate circle.

Let's be serious for a moment. If we are not going to go beyond chasing "likes" and emojis, let's close up shop.