Abdullah Güler: Voters have returned to the AKP

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey opened with notable new attitudes and statements from both the ruling and opposition parties.

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğancalled for strengthening the internal front, emphasizing that "Israel has its eyes on Turkey." Following this call, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli greeted and shook hands with officials from the DEM Party, whom he had previously criticized with harsh words.

CHP'S NEW STANCE

CHP's new chairman, Özgür Özel, departed from his party's previous stances by greeting President Erdoğan standing, citing "respect for the office." The warm conversation at the reception between the CHP and MHP leaders, who had exchanged harsh words in Parliament earlier that day, did not go unnoticed.

Providing information about the new term in Parliament, AKP Group Chairman Abdullah Güler stated that voters have returned to the AK Party. Speaking to Gazete Duvar, Güler described the scene at the opening of Parliament as "the normalization that citizens wanted." Here are the highlights from Abdullah Güler's interview with Gazete Duvar...  

AK PARTY TOOK TO THE FIELD IN 81 PROVINCES AND 922 DISTRICTS, MEASURING EXPECTATIONS FOR CHANGE IN THE CONGRESS PROCESS

You were in the field during the summer as part of the 'Turkey Meetings.' What kind of work did you do, and what were your impressions?

Our regular congress calendar began on September 3. We conducted this work to explain this congress process to the citizens and to listen to them. All our deputies participated in 81 provinces and 922 districts. Meetings were held in every province with the participation of a deputy chairman or a minister. I went to Kars. We started at the beginning of September. It will be completed tomorrow (today) with a final meeting in Istanbul.

Will these turn into a report?

Yes, they are all turning into reports. The participating group chairman, group deputy chairmen, ministers, deputy chairmen, and deputies will compile their impressions, complaints, and expectations into a report based on a format determined by the headquarters.

How will the work done contribute to your new roadmap?

First of all, you gain a grasp of the citizens' agenda. Secondly, you measure the expectations during the congress process. For example, pointing to the congress process, there were those who said, 'let these people take office in the party.' They suggested names. It wasn't the case where I went, but suggestions might have come in for certain people to leave. But there was an expectation, especially regarding the inclusion of new friends in this process.

Did the citizens explain what kind of change they wanted?

Yes. They explained not only what they wanted with the change but also what they should do together. For example, some said, "we used to be able to reach out more easily and find solutions to problems. Now we are having some difficulty with this. Let there be friends who are more accessible and who will contribute to our problems."

Will the reports be presented to the President?

They are given to the organization presidency at the headquarters, and they will collect them in a pool. The most common topics raised in the study will be determined, and suggestions will be ranked. After grasping the citizens' agenda, more rapid and efficient work can be done.

The expectation for change that emerged after the election did not find a response. Isn't there a delay in this process?

In my opinion, no. Time is needed to capture and see the better. You cannot reach what you want with very fast, quick changes.

CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, INTEGRATING IT WITH THE FLOW OF HISTORY...

President Erdoğan said, "We read the nation's message in the most accurate way, and we say change to fulfill the requirements of that message. The change we are talking about is a rebirth move." Looking at your impressions from the meetings, what kind of AK Party will we see?

Today's expectations have changed. Turkey is ahead of the economic prosperity level of 20-30 years ago. Its infrastructure and development journey have reached a very high level. We are competing with many developed countries in the world. There is a concept called capturing the spirit of the times. It is necessary to integrate this with the flow of history. In addition to current needs, our citizens want the country to exist in its region as a stronger country that dominates its heartland, helps, protects, and is listened to. Of course, there are also current expectations. Increasing wages, stopping the cost of living, and fighting inflation are important.

FACTORY SETTINGS ARE INTEGRATING WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES

We often hear calls for a 'return to factory settings' within the AK Party. You said, "Change in accordance with the spirit of the times."

The concept you mentioned actually integrates with the concept of the "spirit of the times." Returning to factory settings does not mean doing the actions of 20-30-40 years ago. The AK Party had captured the spirit of the times during its founding period. It had established a bond of heart with the citizens. It understood them very well. It listened very well to their approach to current issues and their solution proposals. It came to this day by making action plans accordingly. We need to listen to and understand the citizens more to show that we are sensitive to the issues on their agenda, in order to show development in accordance with the spirit of the times, regarding today's conditions. We will do this more. The citizens are already expecting this. They don't think that just changing names will be very useful, and they say this too. The important thing is to reactivate the approach style and that sincere relationship form of the past. It exists in many places, but they expect and want it to be re-established in places where it is not. Frankly, they have no expectations from the other opposition parties outside of the AK Party.

CITIZENS WANT NORMALIZATION REGARDLESS OF GOVERNMENT OR OPPOSITION

Now I want to return to Parliament. We are used to the language of polarization in politics, but this time a slightly different start was made. The President's words about the need to fortify the internal front are being talked about a lot. Are we going to talk about a normalization process coming from the government front? What does the President's call mean?

I am saying that this is currently the expectation of the citizens as well. As we said, the spirit of the times; the Russia-Ukraine war, the war that grew by spreading to Lebanon in our south, as a country that has been fighting terrorism for many years, this is actually the expectation of the citizens.

Mr. Özgür also said, "citizens want normalization." So you agree with these words.

Citizens want this regardless of opposition or government. They want and expect, "Let the government and opposition be one against all threats that will be directed at us in terms of our sovereign rights and national security. Let them shoulder each other, give strength, and support each other in this regard." You may have different political thoughts and approaches. You are already separate political parties. The citizens will listen to your promises and expectations and appreciate them accordingly. But when it comes to the common interest of the country, we must display a single stance regardless of government or opposition. Anyone who has eyes on even one square meter of these lands should see this very well.

Look at Libya, Egypt, Syria, Iraq. We see that very deep fault lines cause major fights there. Even if you have different political thoughts inside, you must fortify that unity and togetherness. Otherwise, you become an open target against external interventions.

WE MUST COMPETE IN SERVICE

Is this call only for the external agenda? Can we talk about a new political era?

Let's talk, I said 'the spirit of the times' is just a race along with the quality of the work you will do. Actually, we sometimes stay away from these while doing politics. We need to compete on who can best serve the expectations and needs of our citizens. But sometimes we put this aside and enter into a 'you-me' dispute. We enter into a smear attempt in different areas that will unnecessarily strain and disturb the society, which I do not think is right.

WE MUST BE AN EXAMPLE

But the AK Party is seen more as the responsible party for this picture. The President is constantly criticized for this reason. What kind of responsibility will you take?

Our responsibility is in our language and our behavior. We must be an example. I also think we are an example. I think we have done many services that have been postponed until today in a qualified manner in every field. I think we have made a lot of progress in growing Turkey's economy, strengthening its infrastructure, being a competitive country in the world, and being a country that can be listened to in the world with a strong economy, its armed forces, and its political power. The race is in the service that will meet the expectations of our citizens. But we could not see a language of the opposition in the service race.

RESPECT FOR THE OFFICE IS VERY VALUABLE AND PRECIOUS

I am returning to the opening day of Parliament. There are also new approaches in the opposition. CHP said "respect for the office" and greeted the President standing. How did you evaluate this?

This is a scene that should be. It was delayed, it should have happened before. Mr. President was elected with 52.5 percent of the vote and came to the Parliament, where the phrase "sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation" is located. The place where the unity and togetherness of our country is reflected as an office is the Presidency. Others will sit there in 10-20 years. Therefore, respect for that office is very valuable and precious. Especially in these days, standing behind the president is a very good message to the whole world. Those who have calculations in the region and have different intentions will look at issues much differently and behave differently when they see this picture, this photograph. We talked about countries with problems related to internal peace. Syria, Iraq, and Libya experienced many negatives. The suffering and division they are experiencing today actually stemmed from what they did not do in the past.

What do you say about MHP leader Bahçeli shaking the hands of DEM Party officials? You were there too.

Yes, we were next to him. I find it very reasonable. We have a dialogue with all political party groups in Parliament. We carry out the agenda of Parliament and the issues to be discussed through consultation. The reflection of this in a photograph has also been very valuable, it has been good.

I WANT TO BE HOPEFUL FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION

These extended hands seem to have goals directed inward as well as outward. In the lobby, I heard the comment, "we say new constitution, internal regulations, a constitution cannot be made with a clenched fist." We know that you will take steps for a new constitution this term. However, CHP says, "First comply with the current constitution," "We will not support a study that will bring blood to the President's power." IYI Party also wants a return to the parliamentary system. Can a constitution table be established in this picture? Let me ask, are you hopeful about a constitutional study in Parliament?

I want to be hopeful. If we read together with the May 14-28 and March 31 elections, we need to do a study. If we neglect the new constitution, we would not be doing the right thing for the expectations of society. Let's increase economic prosperity, let's stop the cost of living. But at the same time, Turkey needs to increase its weight in the world with its competitive, developed infrastructure and superstructure, and qualified human power. We currently have a constitution whose integrity has been lost, which has turned into a patchwork quilt, and whose roof has collapsed. You cannot move forward with this. We made a regulation regarding crypto assets. A new concept. It has no equivalent in the constitution. We established a research commission for artificial intelligence applications. We need to gain momentum with the constitution in every field regarding today's economic needs and the new needs of society. We call the constitution a social contract. The constitution is the source of law that keeps 85 million together. Therefore, a text that is very suitable for today's conditions must also be on the table.

SOCIETY APPROVED THE PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM IN 3 ELECTIONS

The regulation that the opposition criticizes the most in the constitution is the Presidential Government System change you made 6-7 years ago. Are you open to revision in this system?

We said a constitution aimed at the expectations of society. Society approved the Presidential Government System with the 2017 referendum and the 2018 and 2023 elections. We called the constitution a social contract; there is social approval for this system. 

THERE MAY BE A REVISION IN THE SYSTEM TO REACH THE BETTER

In the AK Party lobby in Parliament, I hear this the most: If ministers were chosen from Parliament, if they were part of the legislative process. For example, could such a revision be in question? As far as I understand, you are not talking about a semi-presidential or parliamentary system at all...

No. This system can be revised. The place where laws will be executed is the executive branch. Areas can be created where ministers can express their opinions, expectations, and different additions or subtractions while the relevant law is being passed in Parliament. This can be discussed. However, the authority to submit a legislative proposal belongs to the deputy. Deputies also submit proposals aimed at the expectations of our citizens by working with the relevant bureaucracy and conducting field analyses. You cannot submit a legislative proposal without persuading the deputy and getting their approval. I see that Parliament has become much stronger due to the deputies' right to submit legislative proposals. But perhaps it can be criticized in one aspect. This can also be improved technically. Let the legislature supervise the executive more, let it be more informed about the practices... This is discussed, various suggestions can be presented. But I think the Presidential Government System is very beneficial to our country and provides a significant contribution in terms of management. But we cannot say there is a perfect management. If there are deficiencies in this, if there are areas subject to revision, it can be discussed to reach the better.  

THE OPPOSITION WILL GET A YELLOW CARD FROM THE CITIZENS

The opposition has too many preconditions for a new constitution. It seems they will not sit at the table. What happens then?

If they don't, they will get a yellow card from our citizens. I am saying it very clearly. Together with the May 14-28 elections, we call it 'the spirit of the times and the flow of history' as a concept. You cannot say to our citizens, "You are condemned to such a bad constitution, continue. We won't do anything either." You must definitely do something. If you want Turkey to be very ambitious, to be a country that is competitive in the world, listened to with its economic size, and with its military-political power, we must have a constitution that will carry it further, a civil, democratic, pluralistic constitution.

IF THE OPPOSITION DOES NOT SIT AT THE TABLE, WE WILL TRY TO MAKE PROGRESS WITH THE CITIZENS

When the opposition does not sit at the table, will you carry out a constitutional study only as the People's Alliance?

We do our work for our citizens. We make a call. We talk, we make visits, we try to determine a method. Because past methods have not yielded results. We talk about this, we try to do it. If we can't, we share this with our dear nation. We have shown every effort and endeavor regarding the new constitution, but unfortunately, the opposition did not show the necessary sensitivity and sincerity on these issues, we say. We talk to different dynamics of our society, non-governmental organizations, universities, employers, and the working segment, and we take proposals from everyone. Whatever they suggest, whatever their expectations are, we try to make progress with our citizens on this issue. However, we sincerely express that it is not possible for our country to move forward with this constitution. We need to know and see this. I mean, the car's engine is sputtering now.

THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF AN EARLY ELECTION

The opposition also points to economic problems and wants an "early election." There is a call to do it at the end of 2.5 years so that the President can be a candidate once again. Do you see the possibility of an early election?

I don't see it at all. Our President doesn't see it either. We are focused on our work. We have a current priority issue in accordance with our medium-term plan. This is the economy. Cost of living, inflation, budget balance, foreign exchange balance, and current account balance. The point we are focused on is clear. We are carrying out work in accordance with the current expectations of our citizens. The date of the elections is also clear, 2028. Our President expressed this. But some people are in a hurry. They are in a hurry because the credit they received is about to run out. The citizen says you made a lot of promises, 6 months passed, what happened? You have turned the Gulf of İzmir into a septic tank for 25 years. You said I will clean it, it will be swimmable in 1 year. Come on, let's see.

The opposition states that it maintains its position as the first party in the incoming polls.

They were saying this before the May 14-28 elections too. They were coming with sixty percent or something...

WE SEE THAT VOTERS HAVE RETURNED TO THE AK PARTY

What do the polls you have show?

I see that we are the first party in a few polls right now. In the latest August-September polls, we see that the AK Party has regained that trust and the voters who had moved away from it have returned to the AK Party. We see this in the field as well. The citizen gave a punishment in some way, warned us, and loaded onto the opposition. Well, did they see or find anything from the opposition? Ms. Nergis, what is on the opposition's agenda right now?

There is a candidacy discussion, I think you mean that?

The citizen is not expecting this from you. The citizen expects a concrete, sincere stance, explanation, and approach regarding their own current issues. We are doing this. We do it day and night. We opened Parliament this week. We are establishing a research commission on artificial intelligence applications, which we know our society shows very close interest in. We are continuing our teacher law proposal. We are working on other legislative proposals that will come in the coming weeks. We may have shortcomings, but the citizen expects a stance on a sincere solution to their own current issues and needs. If you do not act in accordance with these, the citizen will not be condemned to you.

HOW WILL PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN BE A CANDIDATE AGAIN?

You said in a statement, "There is no such thing as who will come after Erdoğan, the Ahmet Davutoğlu example will not be experienced again. There are calculations being made all over the world towards 2030. For this reason, Erdoğan's leadership is very important." On the other hand, you say there will be no early election. So how can the President, who has completed two terms, be a candidate again?

We have four years. There are very big tensions in our south, in our north, in the far east, in the Pacific, in Iran, in the Balkans. These are the points we need to focus on. It will be discussed after 4 years. I always connect it with the words of Mevlana: My friend says, yesterday passed, is there a possibility to change yesterday, to do something different? No. Well, tomorrow? It hasn't come yet, anything can happen at any moment, there can be a difference. We need to look at what we are doing today. When we ask what the opposition's agenda is right now, we say there is candidacy tension and conflicts. Who will be the candidate? This is not the citizen's expectation.

AHMAK (FOOL) CASE: DO NOT IMPOSE THEIR OWN AGENDAS ON US

There is a concrete problem that fuels this discussion. You are also a lawyer. The "Ahmak Case" (Fool Case) against Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who stands out among the opposition's presidential candidates, is in the appellate court. If it is upheld, a political ban will come. The government is accused of wanting to block the path of the opposition's candidate. İmamoğlu said in his last statement that this is a coup against the national will. The opposition is talking about the candidacy issue partly because of this case. How do you evaluate this case?

The judiciary is independent and impartial. Some people see themselves differently. I can say anything to anyone in public... I have immunity, the nation will endure this... Even insults, swearing, I can do everything... The local court appreciated it, gave a sentence. Now the appellate process continues. Threatening words and behaviors towards the judiciary, such as calling this a coup against the national will, let those who will make this decision think, I am warning from here, are not very correct. The independent, impartial judiciary evaluates the case file in front of it with all impact analyses and sends it to the expert. There are past period precedents. The judicial system in Turkey has formed a certain tradition regarding these issues along with its precedents.

You called a committee working as a board fools. The court will evaluate this. The appellate court evaluated it, different things came out, there is the Supreme Court process for this. Do not impose their own agendas on us within a narrow framework by saying, 'the path of some is being opened, the path of some is being closed.' There is a period of 3.5-4 years. Many things will develop by then. But some people are probably trying to bring themselves to the forefront much more already.

But if a political ban comes, he will not be able to be a candidate?

We don't know what will happen. The appellate court will make a decision. Then there is the Supreme Court process... Let everyone wait for the process within their own judicial process, without affecting a fair trial, without waving hands and fingers. Let them use whatever their legal rights are, let them object.

WE MUST BUILD A FAIR SYSTEM IN SOCIAL SECURITY

This term, the eyes and ears of the citizens will be on Parliament. A comprehensive change in the social security system is mentioned. What kind of reform will we see?

We must build a fairer, more balanced system where a certain premium amount and age are cared about in salary differences. From the past to the present, unfortunately, we said EYT law, some legal regulations were implemented in intermediate periods, but the system was always broken in a way that one would be to the detriment of the other. World examples are clear. The first rule is sustainability. We must make our pension system sustainable. The share we allocate from the central budget for the payment of pension salaries and the coverage of health expenses is increasing every year. This increase will increase even more with new retirees. The budget is the budget of all of us. We need this budget for the future of 85 million, for the sustainability of investments, and for meeting other economic needs. But as these supports in the budget increase, it will probably become a budget that only pays salaries. We must build a system that will provide the social security institution with its own income, by fighting well against informality, that is, by increasing the premium amount, increasing its revenues, and balancing the burden in the pension system well.

GRADUAL RETIREMENT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA

After EYT, the demand for gradual retirement came to the agenda, could it be?

No, it won't be. Proposals are coming that will ensure more retirement to our pension system. We cover our expenses with central budget support. The ratio of premium revenues to expenses is decreasing day by day. That's why we allocate a share from the central budget, we need to make this balanced. If we don't do this, we will not have left a good system to our future generations. With the measures we will take from now on, along with new decisions, we will have gifted a functioning, fair, balanced system to our future generations.

When will this study be completed?

We are working, we are listening. Not only opposition parties but the academic world, the working segment, employers, everyone needs to contribute to this issue. This is our common issue.

There are those who worry that if I postpone retirement, I will receive less pension. What kind of work is being done on this?

We are working on that. We will see if a report comes out. It affects some, it doesn't affect others. We don't have any data yet. When the data comes out, we won't make anyone do anything that will do injustice. I think we can find the solution point without creating a grievance for whoever has what right. But first, let's take a picture of the situation. It is necessary to see the impact analyses for the coming years. This is being worked on.

Will the judicial package expand? Were there some articles that were removed?

22-23 articles remained. We will give it as a separate proposal.

Will the regulation known in the public as influence agency come?

It is not influence agency, there is a regulation regarding espionage. A regulation for the punishment of committing a crime on behalf of another intelligence, country in the country. We will look at that. It is not clear when and how it will come.

News Source: 12punto