Bahçeli’s ‘presidential system’ statement: If Atatürk were alive today, he would be an ardent defender of the presidential system

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli spoke at his party's group meeting in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

Key highlights from Bahçeli's statement are as follows:

"Every Turkish state established has risen upon the foundations of the previous one and left its mark on its era. The Turkish state has internalized its rich memories. I especially wish for it to be known that the Republic of Turkey did not emerge from a hollow tree, nor was it established by instruction. The Republic of Turkey took its place on the stage of history under extraordinary conditions and with determination. The deputies of that period made the heavens and earth tremble with cries of 'Long live the Republic.' The nation declared that it was closed to all options of humiliation other than full independence.

The Turkish nation, which fought on many fronts, healed its wounds with the Republic. On the day the Republic was proclaimed, Atatürk was also elected as the first president. The Republic of Turkey is not the 'other' of the Ottoman Empire, but two Turkish states fed from the same source in their entirety.

Those who wait for opportunities to stir up trouble between the Republic of Turkey and the Ottomans are the 'infidel remnants' nested within us. We will root them out one by one. The crescent and star are as much ours as the three crescents are. This truth will not change until the apocalypse.

This week, we will undoubtedly celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic together as a nation with enthusiasm. The effective quality of the Republic is its direct recognition of national sovereignty."

PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM STATEMENT

The Republic is the name of the system applied as much as it is the form and shape of the state. Those who claim that the regime has changed are a chorus of unadulterated liars. The government system is one thing, the regime is another. The name of the regime was set in 1923, and the matter was closed never to be opened again. The basis of the blessed step taken 100 years ago is the people (cumhur). Just as there is no turning back from the Republic, there is no turning back from the Presidential Government System. The nation has made its decision. The end of those who want to cut the vein of the Republic will be disappointment, and the price will be heavy. It is the deep-rooted manifestation of democracy. If Atatürk were alive today, he would be an ardent defender of the Presidential Government System. It was not a gang, it was not unplanned. The idea of the Republic did not emerge suddenly out of whim."

'NATIONALISM IS A DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT'

Nationalism developed over the Turkish national existence is at the same time a democratic people's movement. The Republic of Turkey has risen over Turkish national culture. To develop this means to protect the cultural heritage.

Treating the nation as a whole has opened space for an embracing nationalism. The living state of the nation is the people. The focal point of democracy is the people; nationalism has the same meaning. It represents the national will on behalf of the nation. These concrete facts were also dominant in the establishment of the Republic. The opening of the TBMM is the first stage of the Republic. The Republic is the protector of the unprotected. In 1923, our population was 13 million; today it is 85 million.

'IF ATATÜRK HAD NOT RISEN, CHURCH BELLS WOULD HAVE RUNG INSTEAD OF THE CALL TO PRAYER'

The development we see today was reached thanks to the heroes of the national struggle who won a war of independence and survived on dry bread. If the enemy had not been expelled, we would not be on these homeland lands. If Atatürk and his friends had not risen, church bells would have been heard instead of the call to prayer.

I celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Turkish nation's Republic with never-ending determination. I wish for God's mercy upon our martyrs, especially Atatürk. The Republic of Turkey will be kept alive forever. Long live the Turkish nation, long live the Republic of Turkey.

Saving the day with heroics will bring regional threats to our homeland soil. There is a geopolitics to living on Anatolia, and it has not changed for a thousand years. If you cannot articulate it with a homeland policy, disintegration and ruin will emerge. History has not witnessed a positive example that would change this inevitable truth. If our geography is debated, our nation will disappear; if our nation is debated, our state will disappear. I said these things that day. Let no one have any doubt that I stand behind what I said 14 years ago.

State wisdom manifests not with daily preoccupations, but with strategic foresight. As long as we can see the horizon beyond the horizon, as long as we read dangers with historical consciousness, we can keep national power sources constantly on alert. The final border of the Turkish nation's defense line was drawn with the National Pact (Misak-ı Milli). The National Pact is not subject to a statute of limitations.

'ERDOĞAN IS NOT ALONE'

Mr. Erdoğan is in a tremendous struggle to eliminate threats at their source and is definitely not alone. If Gaza and Jerusalem are not safe, no one will be able to talk about the security of Ankara. If we do not intervene with our ancient state wisdom, it is inevitable that we will experience similar dramas in Anatolia to those in Gaza when the day comes.

'I WOULD BE A COWARD IF I DID NOT SET OUT'

The statements I made on October 21 are the definition of the responsibility I feel for human dignity. Unfair criticisms have also been followed by me. If a ceasefire is not achieved within 21 hours, and as long as bombs continue to be dropped on the oppressed, Turkey must intervene and what is necessary must be done. Taking on this responsibility is the legacy of our ancestors. Some sarcastically launched a smear campaign, saying 'You go first.' If my nation wishes, I would be a coward if I did not set out to protect the children in Gaza. They say we want to throw the children of this homeland into the fire, what business do we have in Gaza, that the conflict is not our issue. The owners of these expressions are a handful of looters whose hearts have turned to ash.

What time did Biden go to his rest office?

To be human and to defend human values is sufficient for this. Hospitals are being bombed, schools are being hit. Children are dying while reciting the testimony of faith (kalima shahada)."