Kemal Okuyan: None of the government's political operations have any legitimacy

Evaluating the recent detentions and arrests, Kemal Okuyan pointed out that the judiciary's political operations have become synonymous with the AKP, but that this has increased recently.

Criticizing the CHP's method of struggling against the AKP, Okuyan said, "A one-sided match is being played between the main opposition and the government." He stated that elements showing signs of resistance are immediately suppressed by the AKP to prevent them from turning into organized energy. He noted that communication channels between organized segments and society are being interfered with. Okuyan also reminded that the AKP shows a stick with absolute determination against the working class's efforts and intentions to seek their rights.

Including the judiciary in this package, Okuyan said, "All of these are moves aimed at narrowing the political sphere. Throughout history, such steps have had unforeseen consequences. We cannot approach the AKP's actions in the legal field selectively. For years, since the Ergenekon and Balyoz cases, the TKP has said that one cannot be selective on this issue. We have been saying for years that none of the political operations have any legitimacy, and we continue to say so."

Reminding of methods such as bans and violence used to narrow the political sphere, Kemal Okuyan stated that the AKP uses the judicial mechanism well, saying, "The judiciary has now become a fundamental political tool."

'THE PUBLIC MUST ACT IN AN ORGANIZED MANNER DURING PERIODS WITHOUT ELECTIONS' 

Explaining that the concept of "nice democracy" came to the agenda in the 60s, Okuyan said, "It is a type of democracy that serves a certain class. It has nothing to do with the socialist democracy we understand, but even bourgeois democracy is regressing." He said that the restriction of the public's channels for participation in politics is also a part of this situation. Okuyan spoke as follows:

"While not underestimating elections, if politics is narrowed down to elections, then elections also lose their importance. The public needs to become politicized and act in an organized manner even during periods when there are no elections. The importance of elections is that they reflect the will of society. If you eliminate the channels that can reveal that will, the election loses its significance."

Reminding that the existence of the Soviet Union pushed the world to pull itself together, Okuyan said that democracy has been rapidly pruned for approximately the last 40 years.

'OPPOSITION CANNOT BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT QUESTIONING CAPITALISM' 

Pointing out that the state's apparatus of violence is being strengthened in many countries around the world while crime rates are steadily increasing, Okuyan recalled anti-democratic practices such as labor protests and strike bans, explaining that the situation is not very different outside of Turkey.

"All governments will fortify their domestic fronts because we are facing the reality of war. Or, societies will be restricted under the pretext of preparing for war," said Okuyan, noting that capital, which is in intense competition, is seeking stability.

Stating that armament is increasing, particularly in European countries, the TKP General Secretary argued that it is impossible to struggle or even conduct opposition without questioning capitalism. "The era of 'nice' democracy is over," Okuyan said, emphasizing that the people and societies are not helpless.

Stating that the state of global competition is pregnant with new wars in the near future, and that the existence of nuclear weapons is ironically preventing this from evolving into a world war for now, Okuyan noted that the stance against war cannot be separated from anti-capitalism. 

'TRUMP'S ELECTION WILL HAVE DIFFERENT CONSEQUENCES'

Evaluating Donald Trump's inauguration, Okuyan noted that there could be a mismatch between the established state institutionalism within the US and Trump's close associates. He also said that Trump possesses a base that could lead to a fascist dictatorship. 

Kemal Okuyan used the following expressions:

"Trump's election will have different consequences. The team he has assembled and his close associates show that he will act decisively on certain issues. One of these is immigration. Some of his priorities contradict each other. Increasing customs duties on imported goods will also increase the inflation he wants to lower. His claim that he will end wars is also among these contradictions. It is certain that the world is not heading toward a safer place."

CEASEFIRE COMMENTARY: 'THE ISRAELI ARMY HAS HIT A WALL' 

Evaluating the ceasefire in Gaza, Kemal Okuyan said, "This ceasefire is good for the people of Gaza."

Stating that Israel, one of the parties to the ceasefire, is known for not keeping its word and that the country's borders are undefined, Okuyan said he does not expect the ceasefire to be permanent. Noting that Israel will continue its attacks in the region, Okuyan said, "It was said that 'Hamas is defeated,' but despite the blows, its armed force is still standing. They held out despite Israel's power. The Israeli army has hit a wall; it could not reach its two main goals of finishing off Hamas and rescuing the hostages. I do not think the Palestinians will kneel."

'THE CAPITALIST ORDER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING' 

Answering a question regarding the TKP's tendency to link many problems to the capitalist class, Kemal Okuyan said, "The one responsible for everything is this system, this order, structured in line with the interests of the capitalist class. Both in Turkey and in the world. Nothing can stop us from emphasizing this."

Expressing that the capitalist class wants strong governments, Okuyan said, "There is a dictatorship of capital all over the world; they either ensure that peoples slaughter each other or they try to eliminate countries like Cuba that try to step outside the system. If we accept these, we must accept every disaster that will befall us." 

Stating that secondary issues are not unimportant but that this fundamental contradiction must not be forgotten, Okuyan said, "This is the reason for the TKP's existence. We will organize the people against this; we have no other choice." 

News Source: 12punto