Alarm in AKP corridors over the 'solution process': 'Voter reaction may be saved for the ballot box'

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s statement regarding the PKK terrorist organization’s disarmament process, "Concrete steps have not been taken so far," and Chief Advisor to the President Mehmet Uçum’s emphasis on "red lines" in the new constitution debates are being interpreted as messages aimed at the dissatisfaction among voters within AKP corridors.

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, it is being assessed in party circles that the two statements are not independent of each other; the government sees the questions forming, especially among nationalist and conservative voters, due to the process. According to AKP sources, there is a "passive reaction" on the ground that is not being voiced loudly but is becoming increasingly evident.

In his assessment regarding the new constitution debates, Uçum had listed the Turkish nation, Turkish citizenship, the Turkish language, the republic, the unitary structure, secularism, and the democratic state of law as "red lines." This move, which suggests that even discussing a different regulation on these topics would be unacceptable, is seen as a reassurance message to the government's base.

BALLOT BOX CALCULATIONS COME TO THE FORE

AKP sources state that polls and field observations reaching the party leadership contain findings that the process could lead to voter loss. According to the sources' assessment, even if the disgruntled voters are not entering into debates today, they are preparing to show their political stance at the ballot box. AKP sources commented, "People are not engaging in debates, they are not speaking out, but they are waiting for the ballot box."

Party strategists acknowledge that the political landscape the government envisioned at the beginning of the process has not fully materialized. For this reason, as the election calendar approaches, it is expected that tougher and clearer statements on "the fundamental values of the state and nation," the unitary structure, and the fight against terrorism will come to the fore.

EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE PERCEPTION THAT "CONCESSIONS WERE MADE"

According to assessments within the AKP, the government will try to prevent the perception that "concessions were made" from taking hold while continuing the process on the one hand. In this context, it is stated that the message that weapons will be completely laid down and the fundamental characteristics of the state will not be opened for discussion will be emphasized more frequently.

DISCOMFORT WITH DEM PARTY IN THE AKP

Party sources argue that some statements coming from DEM Party officials and circles close to the organization are also effective in increasing the dissatisfaction among voters.

Describing some statements made by the DEM Party as "clearly provocative," the sources stated that these discourses make it difficult for the government to explain the process to its own base.

In AKP corridors, it is stated that symbolic images of disarmament are not enough to convince the voters; it is expected that the organization will lay down its arms with all its elements, including those in Qandil and Syria. The possibility that the reaction will be reflected at the ballot box if the process drags on and controversial statements continue is being discussed more strongly within the party.