They are pulling every lever for constitutional change

"It is neither a holiday nor a special occasion, so why did Devlet Bahçeli kiss Selahattin Demirtaş this time?" one might wonder. Let me tell you right away; the People's Alliance is pulling every lever for a constitutional change.

As you know, the current cabinet consists of 272 AKP deputies, 47 MHP deputies, four HÜDA PAR deputies, and one DSP deputy.

According to this count, the People's Alliance reaches 324 seats.

The deputy transfer season has opened. In particular, deputies who will move from the DEVA Party and the Future Party to the government side are a hot topic on the agenda. Now, the next step is 'getting the support of the DEM Party!'

The government did not find the response it wanted in society with the opening regarding the leader of the separatist terrorist organization, Abdullah Öcalan, and is developing a new strategy due to the growing backlash.

The Abdullah Öcalan plan hit a wall. When the attempt to portray Öcalan as a peace envoy drew a major reaction from the public, the AKP's plans fell through.

Mutual statements also suggest that it is difficult for the DEM Party and the government to find common ground.

A DEMOCRATIC MOVE FROM BAHÇELİ: THE DEMİRTAŞ OPENING

So, what needs to be done in this situation? As always, it fell to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli to keep his finger on the pulse of society. Bahçeli, who plays a leading role in all openings, has now announced that the release of Selahattin Demirtaş would "be auspicious for Turkey."

The government's strategists are following a different path here.

First, to send the message: "We are complying with ECHR rulings."

Second, the strategy is to present a democratic move to both Kurdish voters, the DEM Party, and citizens who opposed the Apo opening by saying, "We are releasing a leader who represents the Kurdish people in parliament, not a baby killer like Abdullah Öcalan."

Naturally, when this is the case, it will be inevitable for the DEM Party to support the government on the constitutional change. The dream of Abdullah Öcalan's release or his being granted house arrest or a right to peace will be left for another spring.

WHY IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IMPORTANT?

However, if this project finds resonance in society, the AK Party will have gained significant power for a constitutional change. All 56 deputies of the DEM Party will support the AK Party-MHP alliance regarding the constitutional change.

So, why is this constitutional change important?

- Is it a constitution to be made to get rid of the coup constitution and build a new and civil democracy, as the government says?

- Or is it an effort by the AK Party to completely seize the legislative, judicial, and executive branches?

- Or, as it is known among the public, is it a guarantee for a lifetime presidency?

Of course, legal experts have much to say in this regard. It is not possible to know 100% of the plans made behind closed doors because neither the political scientists in Turkey nor the public can decipher today's Turkish politics.

Even the sudden outburst of Devlet Bahçeli, who did not stand by his words about Selahattin Demirtaş three days ago, saying it "will be auspicious for Turkey," leaves many clues about what the calculations behind closed doors are.

If the AKP-MHP Alliance implements this move, can it guarantee the constitutional change? As of now, it does not seem possible to reach 400 in terms of seat numbers. Even transferring deputies from the Future Party and the DEM Party is not enough for this. To find the sufficient number, it needs to transfer 14-15 more deputies.

But as I said, no one can perform political analysis in Turkey; you might suddenly see 15 deputies even from the CHP transferring to the People's Alliance. What have we seen recently... Mayors can transfer without blinking; why shouldn't deputies?

In the meantime, one should never forget the influence and interests of the USA....