The election process and the symbolic importance of Istanbul

There is less than two months left until the March 31 local elections. The election process is unfolding in an environment where the economic picture is becoming increasingly dire...

The country has not yet felt the usual election atmosphere. If you ask me, it does not look like it will be felt much, either. Citizens are being crushed under the weight of price hikes and the high cost of living. The gap in income distribution injustice and wage inequality is widening. According to research by TÜİK, the share of income received by the richest 20 percent is at a 16-year high. Compared to the previous year, it has increased by 1.3 percent to reach 48 percent. The share of the lowest-earning 20 percent has decreased by 0.1 to 6 percent.

Injustice is present in many areas...

Therefore, a large segment of the population does not think that the mayor who will be newly elected or re-elected will lead to a change in the general picture or in living conditions.

Is it not a problem that resources are not distributed fairly, that the gap between people is so vast, and that this order continues in this way?

As Sheikh Bedreddin said; “The moon and the sun are everyone's lamp, the air is everyone's air, the water is everyone's water. Why is bread not everyone's bread?”.

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The government wants to enter the elections by increasing its political power at a time when it is economically squeezed and voter support is waning. It is striving to expand its alliance with parties and forces that are ideologically close to it. It has tried and succeeded in doing this with different groups in almost every period. The government, which has been substituted through various alliances, is trying to set the game again.

It is following a path of opening up the space where it is squeezed in the economy by using political rhetoric and clinging to the established discourse of conservatism and tradition.

Although the fragmented-looking structure in the opposition seems to make its job easier, the situation may not be at all as expected as the local election turns into a general election atmosphere and a referendum on the government with only days left until the election.

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It is well known that the local election is not limited to just electing a mayor, especially what it means for Istanbul to be in the hands of the opposition. 

Istanbul is a city with great symbolic value! It is the place where the story of the political power was woven...

With the results becoming clear in the second round of the presidential elections, the President brought up the subject of Istanbul again in his speech and said, 'there is little time left, let's work and take it'.

This is a decisive city with great economic and political importance. 

Therefore, we must think carefully, and we must think about what the address of the seal we hold in our hands means. Because 'Istanbul is not just Istanbul!'

1ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE EARTHQUAKE

1 year has passed since the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, in which tens of thousands of our citizens lost their lives. The pain and wounds are still very deep. We respectfully commemorate all our citizens who lost their lives.

Many problems still persist in the earthquake zone. Housing, clean drinking water, health... People are waiting for all problems to be solved, going beyond words and promises. It is a necessity for those who hold authority to act in accordance with their responsibilities and to act by prioritizing their citizens under difficult conditions.