An answer to Devlet Bahçeli...

Was Atatürk against the presidential system?

Wretched...

Devlet Bahçeli made the following unfortunate statement on Sunday, October 24, 2023; “If Atatürk were alive today, he would be an unyielding defender of the presidential system.” 

Mr. Bahçeli is a party leader.

Does he have a source for saying this? No.

Does he have any documentation? No.

Does he have any knowledge? Given that he made these remarks, it seems he lacks that as well.

Well then, why is he saying it?

Partly to feed the presidency to fake nationalists who chase after tenders while stepping on their sharp-toed high heels, and partly to look charming to the Palace and make himself liked.

What other purpose could there be for making such a baseless speech?

First of all, let us state this: Atatürk was completely against the presidential system. He would not have even considered it.

Date: October 3, 1930

Location: Ankara.

Document: Akşam newspaper, issue number 4304.

When İsmet Pasha put forward some excuses regarding the formation of a new cabinet, some of Atatürk's words were misinterpreted, and it was rumored that he would merge the Presidency with the Prime Ministry. Atatürk was very angry about this. Because this system is the American system. In other words, it is today's Presidential system. Beside Atatürk are İsmet Pasha and the leader of the Liberal Republican Party, Ali Fethi Bey.

Regarding the subject, Atatürk says the following;

"If the general inclination of my nation and certain necessities require me to become Prime Minister, I would gladly do so. But in this case, I cannot simultaneously perform the duties of the Presidency. There is no legal possibility for this," he says.

And he continues; "I have never considered implementing the American system in our country. I have never thought of combining the Presidency and the Prime Ministry in a systematic-less and unlawful manner. And I believe it is known by the entire nation that I am not the kind of man who would think of this."

Source; Atatürk’s Speeches and Statements. Volume: VI-Page 215-216/3

I think the subject is clearly understood.

What he calls the American System is the Presidential system where the Presidency and the Prime Ministry are combined. In other words, the current Erdoğan administration.

While saying this, Atatürk stated in another speech that same year that 'the nation elects the President and the Prime Minister for certain periods to serve it, that this is not possible in a presidential system, and that the President would abuse this duty instead of serving the nation.'

There you have the current situation.

And Devlet Bahçeli comes out and says what? 'If Atatürk were alive today, he would be an ardent defender of the presidential system.'

Now, is that the meaning to be derived from these words of Atatürk? 

Certainly not.

A leader, a party official, or someone aspiring to govern the country should know a little history. If they do not know history, they should hire an advisor who does. If that is not available either, for heaven's sake, one should tell people the truth.

Atatürk also has a quote on this subject;

He says it in 1923. Exactly 100 years ago from today. 

“Those who wish to serve the country must be sincere. They must speak openly ...... Those who explain the truth to the nation must also be sure that they themselves are not being deceived” he says.

The source?

Here you go: "Mustafa Kemal. Eskişehir-İzmit Speeches” Kaynak Publications. 1st Edition. Page; 79

What Atatürk meant by being sincere is telling the truth. He says, “Those who govern the nation must not lie, they must speak openly.”

What more could he say.

Should he provide names? 

In the final sentence, he draws attention to a specific issue. Those who govern the country “Must ensure that while they tell the truth to the nation, they themselves are not being deceived”