Did you say 'change'?..

Özgür Özel has become the new Chairman of the CHP. Özel was the candidate of those who called for “change” within the party. When Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was elected chairman at the 33rd Grand Assembly held in May 2010, he had also emphasized “change” and “revolutionism.” Kılıçdaroğlu, who took office after Deniz Baykal, was compared to Bülent Ecevit, and the assembly was likened to the one in 1973 where Ecevit was elected. With the cap he wore, Kılıçdaroğlu earned the nickname “populist.” He had another nickname as well; “Gandhi Kemal.” He was being compared to India’s independence leader Mahatma Gandhi. Hopes were very high…

A journalist is a witness to the era they live in. The arrival of Özgür Özel reminded me of that period. At that time, in the local Medya Türk newspaper (May 26, 2010), I had written a column titled “On Kılıçdaroğlu’s arrival… Wait and See.” We had asked whether the CHP, led by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was presented as a “beacon of hope,” would be able to “become an alternative to power?” We had posed our questions regarding what program and principles would be followed and what kind of gathering would take place.

We asked whether the policies we considered positive would continue: Would the CHP maintain its stance shown in the rejection of the March 1, 2003 memorandum (the Prime Ministry Memorandum that envisioned Turkey supporting the invasion during the US occupation of Iraq) in Parliament, its stance against the Greater Middle East Project (BOP), and its stance as the “lawyer” of the Ergenekon case?

And we stated our concerns: Will the “Trojan horses” supported from across the ocean be embraced?

Thirteen years ago, I stated these questions and concerns, expressed whether Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu would stand tall against imperialism and whether the CHP would follow a policy in line with its fundamental principles and programs, and said let us all live and see.

Thirteen years have passed. At the current stage, the party has moved even further away from its main direction. While we were asking if it would return to its essence, if it could be a populist and revolutionary party, on the contrary, it evolved to a point very different from its line and became right-wing. It could not show a solid resistance to the process of the destruction of the Republic. In the last elections, it carried reactionaries who contributed to the destruction process into parliament. Atatürkists were pushed away from the party. Instead of anti-imperialism, salvation and democracy began to be expected from imperialist centers. NATO-ism became the determinant of the party’s foreign policy…

The date showed November 4, 2023. Those who wanted “change” and voiced it won at the CHP Grand Assembly. Özgür Özel was elected Chairman. I wonder what those who say ‘change’ today would answer to the criticisms we listed above? Would they want the current policy to change?..

Is “change” an expression of positivity on its own? Not all changes may be directed towards progress and development. What is the “change” being mentioned, how will it happen, will the policies and ideological political line change? If it is to change, what will its content be?

Will what is meant by change be limited only to the change of individuals and those in management levels? Will the management seats filled by one alliance be taken by another alliance that replaces it?

We are asking our questions openly to the public…

In the 100th year of our Republic, will the founding party CHP become the party of the Atatürk revolution again, a populist party? Although there is not much sign or hope in this direction, we cannot help but ask…