HKP Bakırköy Mayoral Candidate Özgür Gülsoy: Bakırköy has been declared a pilot region

-FIRST OF ALL, COULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF?

I am 36 years old and born in Bakırköy. After completing my primary education in schools in Bakırköy, I finished my secondary education at Bahçelievler Dede Korkut Anatolian High School, and then completed my undergraduate studies in the Department of Business Administration at Istanbul University Faculty of Business Administration. I lived in Bakırköy for many years and started my professional life here as a bank employee.

I continue my professional life as an office worker. I have been continuing my work at the Halkın Kurtuluş Partisi (HKP) for 12 years, two of which were as an Istanbul Provincial Executive. I have been a parliamentary candidate twice, and for the first time, we will try to make our voice heard to our people in the elections as a mayoral candidate. I am also about to finish my master's degree in the Department of International Political Economy at Marmara University.

In addition to being interested in art, history, computer games, and basketball, my articles on various topics have been published in Telgrafhane, Olay Neyseo websites, and numerous local publications. I am married and let's say I am the "guardian" of my 5-year-old cat.

“WE HAVE ADOPTED A STANCE OF NOT FIELDING CANDIDATES WHEREVER THE AKP HAS A CHANCE OF LOSING THE ELECTION”

-What does the Bakırköy Mayoral Election mean to you, and what kind of picture is emerging as we enter the elections?

All eyes are once again on the ballot boxes for the local elections to be held on March 31. After the general elections, which the AKP won with the "support of the seven powers," the local elections have gained the character of a new test to see whether it can maintain its power. Therefore, the voter will express their will not only according to municipal services but also in terms of Turkey's future. Our party's electoral stance has been in this direction, and we have adopted a stance of not fielding candidates wherever the AKP has a chance of losing the election. We are supporting Ekrem İmamoğlu in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) elections.

The election holds the same meaning for the Bakırköy Municipality. It would be correct to say that in Bakırköy, where the anti-AKP bloc had a 73 percent lead in the presidential election, the decisive factor in the local election will carry a similar atmosphere to the rest of the country.

The point that makes Bakırköy important in this election is this; the AKP has declared Bakırköy a pilot region and has fielded a candidate who is stated to be ambitious. We will dwell on the validity of this claim again. This is not a declaration stemming from an AKP challenge. Bakırköy is also mentioned as one of the places where the 'Reserve Area' law, which is expected to be one of the AKP's projects against the interests of our people, could be exploited. Although the AKP denies this, it is possible that this will be attempted after a potential victory in the local elections.

“A PROCESS OF PRECARIZATION IS AT THE DOOR”

-What problems do you foresee regarding the future of Bakırköy?

We can say that we foresee three dangers in the future of Bakırköy, so there are also opportunities, but let's start by defining the dangers and the parties.

First; it is possible that Bakırköy will face a reserve area attack as a leg of rent-based urban transformation. In Bakırköy, where 41 percent of the buildings are over 40 years old today and which is known for its earthquake risk, a process of precarization that will lead to wealth transfer is at the door. This attack is, of course, not independent of the wave of wealth transfer that imperialism has implemented worldwide, primarily under the name of the "Green Deal." Bakırköy has, in a sense, been identified as the weak link.

“BAKIRKÖY IS ONE OF THE PLACES WHERE THE MOST FOREIGN-BORN PEOPLE WILL VOTE”

Second, another danger is lumpenization. This process, which takes place in the slums through temporary refugees and illegal immigrants, is taking place in Bakırköy through layers of people from different countries, especially those of Middle Eastern origin, who are freeloaders and have a medieval reactionary mentality. Today, Bakırköy is the 31st district where the most foreign-born people will vote (6 out of 100 people), and while the district's population is decreasing, this number is increasing, according to Polimetre's statistics.

Bakırköy is already experiencing the process of the dispersal of its young and elderly intellectual segments, which make up its democratic base. While young people are forced to work in different places with the program to de-industrialize Bakırköy, including external brain drain, the elderly are becoming unable to live in the district due to the precarization program that exists throughout Turkey.

The forms of places that have left a mark on the memories of those living in Bakırköy have been changed, especially during the current local administration. İstiklal Sports Club, BASAD, Çınaraltı, Ataköy Coast, and Atatürk Airport are a few examples that come to mind. All of these are done consciously.

“THE DANGER OF DE-REPUBLICANIZATION”

Third, another danger that is not on Bakırköy's agenda is 'De-Republicanization'. It is necessary to detail this with a few examples.

While Mustafa Necati Primary School, one of the most important schools in Bakırköy, is being eliminated, the name of the Republican revolutionary Mustafa Necati is being erased. And the name Nuri Pakdil is being given to Osmaniye Primary School! The attempt to destroy Atatürk Airport is also a part of this. All of these are extremely conscious initiatives that appear symbolic, but on the other hand, pave the way for the hollowing out of the essence of the Republic, which allows us to breathe a little today in Turkey, and reduce being a Republican to the level of cheerleading. The people of Bakırköy are being left unconscious and devoid of reflexes against this initiative.

“IT IS A MATTER OF CHANGING BAKIRKÖY FROM TOP TO BOTTOM WITH THE FEAR OF AN EARTHQUAKE”

-What would you like to say about earthquake and urban transformation issues?

In Turkey, where retirees and young people are impoverished, it is a matter of changing Bakırköy from top to bottom with the fear of an earthquake.

When the subject of earthquakes is brought up, Bakırköy is discussed with information about its ground and the effect of the issue on intermediaries (contractors, real estate agents, landlords, construction material producers, floor increases). Those who define themselves as being on the side of the worker and the laborer can also look from this narrow scope.

However, it is possible for Bakırköy to overcome its deficiencies in infrastructure, planning, and housing, as it is not independent of Turkey and the world, and it is possible for an organized public and a thrifty administration to solve these.

The opportunity that arises with the potential reserve area attack and that needs to be voiced is the clearer expression of the right to housing. The struggle launched en masse by the people in Europe against the EU's green deal today extends here. Unfortunately, there is no such foresight on this front.

“BAKIRKÖY CAN BECOME A QUALIFIED CENTER AGAIN”

I mentioned the lumpenization in Bakırköy. The attack that the EU and the USA have carried out throughout Turkey through temporary refugees and illegal immigrants as a product of their demographic change studies in Turkey is also taking place in Bakırköy today with the "selling citizenship" process. The Marina and high-rise buildings that pierce the Ataköy coast like a dagger are part of Bakırköy's transformation.

At this point, while every segment of Bakırköy is losing, it is especially the young people who are losing. Young students cannot find housing or work in Bakırköy. There are few opportunities to do qualified art work in Bakırköy, which is a district strong in terms of art. However, we are in an age where technology has the final say, and work environments for various fields of the IT sector can provide vitality in Bakırköy again. But in return, it is announced that the old industrial areas of Bakırköy will become a Cultural Center.

Another candidate states that they will establish an Industry Museum. As for Atatürk Airport, it is a thing of the past... You can imagine the number of young employees who left Bakırköy due to the move to the new airport. However, there is no one who wants that place back or promises this. This is the foresight of the candidates in a process where youth unemployment is at its peak. However, Bakırköy can become a qualified center again by opening new dormitories, opening new business areas, and by the existing cultural centers fulfilling their functions.

“ANIMAL HEALTH MUST ALSO BE NATIONALIZED IN ALL ITS ASPECTS”

In addition to these, another issue that our youth is sensitive about is animal rights. Bakırköy has significant sensitivity on this issue. In defiance of the ongoing anti-animal propaganda, there is a struggle for a district where animals and humans can live together. However, all right-wing parties insistently state that they will build "shelters," and by receiving grants from the EU... However, there should be an understanding that does not isolate them but protects them by establishing animal living spaces, and animal care should be removed from being commercial. As in human health, animal health must also be nationalized in all its aspects. We can describe the trend and sensitivity in this direction as an opportunity.

-There is little time left for the March 31 elections. Finally, what would you like to state? Can we get your message?

We have an opportunity against the de-Republicanization attack. The Republic has been reduced to the level of protecting the existing state with the AKP's propaganda. However, the revolutionary symbols that form the essence of the Republic are being eliminated one by one. The organized power of the people of Bakırköy can create this consciousness in those who visit the district from outside by making active demands at this point. The youth of the surrounding districts can voice the same demands in the places where they live with this consciousness. Here, the demand for democratic mass organizations to take action gains importance.

“WE HOPE THIS ELECTION WILL BE AN OCCASION”

Is there a party in Bakırköy with a program that sincerely fights against these risks we have listed? Yes, there is. The Halkın Kurtuluş Partisi keeps its reflexes alive in the struggle for seeking rights, as if rushing to a fire.

It is possible to see this both in our struggle in the field of law and in our union struggle. The power to be given to them in the Bakırköy local will liberate Bakırköy.

However, for the opportunities we mentioned to come to life, it is essential that not only the HKP but all democratic, patriotic mass organizations fight together. We hope that this election will continue with a study that leads to this consciousness.

12punto.com.tr

News Source: 12punto