Erdoğan's chief advisor joins the 'Türkiyeli' debate

Mehmet Uçum, chief advisor to AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has made assessments regarding the 'National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission' formed in the TBMM as part of the new reconciliation process.

Addressing the ongoing "Turk-Türkiyeli" debate, Uçum stated, "Creating an uproar by claiming that the Turkish Nation, Turkish Citizenship, Turkish language, the Republic, Secularism, the Rule of Law, and the legitimate boundaries of the National State are being opened for debate, when they are not, is an intellectual provocation. Putting forward baseless and provocative claims such as 'they want to say Türkiyeli instead of Turk' is intellectual sabotage."

In a post on his social media account, Uçum argued that the commission is a historic step toward a Turkey without terrorism. Stating that the establishment of the commission with broad representation is of extraordinary importance, Uçum expressed that this structure would focus on 'general politics' rather than 'current politics' and would provide strategic contributions to the general functioning of the state.

"OF EXTRAORDINARY IMPORTANCE"

The text Uçum shared from his X account is as follows:

"A new page has been turned in this historic period with the establishment of the “National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission” in the TBMM on the path to a Turkey without terrorism.

The establishment of the commission with near-total representation is of extraordinary importance.

The establishment of the commission has given hope to the Turkish Nation, which is composed of the people of Turkey.

We believe that the commission will address the issue according to the common needs of 'general politics' rather than through the squabbles of 'current politics'.

We are certain that the commission will look at the issue by considering the strategic aspects of the 'general functioning of the State' rather than the practical elements of the 'current functioning of the State'.

If all parties approach the issue with a focus on 'democratic general politics' and keep 'current-dimension party politics' secondary;

cooperation rather than competition,

unity of strength rather than conflict,

consensus of ideas rather than squabbling

can be brought to the forefront of the work.

With its qualified work, the reports it will produce, and the recommendations it will make for the executive functions of the TBMM, the commission can make a historic contribution to completing the founding of the Republic. The commission can make strong preparations and provide a broad consensus for the TBMM, which is the decisive will in completing the founding process that was registered with the Republic and has been continuing for over a century.

While carrying out its work, the commission could be much more effective if it prioritizes the approach of direct politics over representative politics, and the general and common demands of the people (demand politics) over the theses of representative areas (thesis politics).

Methodologically, the commission could achieve very high efficiency if it prefers the innovative approach of demand democracy—where the representative is the 'intellectual spokesperson' of the people—rather than the acceptance in representative democracy that the representative is the 'intellectual pioneer' on behalf of the people.

"THE FIRST MEETING SHOWED THAT..."

The first meeting showed that the commission will work according to the perspective of State-Nation integration, based on the inclusiveness of the Turkish Nation and the diversity and uniqueness of the people of Turkey.

It is necessary not to waste this great task on intellectual provocations and petty calculations, and not to allow this historic opportunity to be overshadowed by baseless claims.

Creating an uproar by claiming that the Turkish Nation, Turkish Citizenship, Turkish language, the Republic, Secularism, the Rule of Law, and the legitimate boundaries of the National State are being opened for debate, when they are not, is an intellectual provocation. Putting forward baseless and provocative claims such as “they want to say Türkiyeli instead of Turk” is intellectual sabotage.

Labeling the Brotherhood Manifesto regarding the unity of Turks, Kurds, and Arabs in the region as political Islamism can only be an imperialist operation. One must not fall into this trap.

Intellectual aggression that exploits constructive approaches—which emphasize strengthening national unity by considering the diversity of the people of Turkey who make up the Turkish Nation and provide examples regarding the President's working team—as if identity quotas are being requested, is a hostile attitude and the registered language of bad faith.

Making provocations as if there is a Lausanne debate on the state agenda and in official processes, when there is none, is nothing more than vulgar opportunism.

"EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CRITICIZE, BUT..."

Of course, everyone has the right to criticize and make constructive warnings. However, when there is an intention for a constructive warning, positive steps are first emphasized, support is declared, and then a warning is made by drawing attention to the risks related to the process. These also contribute.

But no one has the right to engage in intellectual sabotage and provocation, to engage in intellectual aggression by making it appear as if something that does not exist actually does, or to try to hinder the ongoing process with ugly opportunism. Those who do so will sooner or later be crushed by their own actions. Turkey no longer allows, especially in this period, any internal or external operations carried out openly or secretly against Turkey.

In conclusion, the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission has undertaken a role that will go down in history during a historical period when Turkey's rise is beginning. We believe that the commission will be successful by standing tall against all kinds of provocations and anti-Turkey operations and pushing them aside with the back of its hand."