
CHP Group Deputy Chair Ali Mahir Başarır participated in the Arena program hosted by Uğur Dündar on SÖZCÜ TV, discussing critical issues surrounding the potential appointment of a trustee to the CHP. Başarır’s remarks highlighted the precarious political climate in Turkey and the implications of such actions.
“HER ŞEYİ YAPARLAR”
Başarır emphasized that the 86 million citizens of Turkey need to reach a consensus on the severity of the current political situation. He argued that instead of pondering whether certain actions could happen, the focus should be on the reality that anything can occur under the current regime. He stated, “Her şeyi yapabilirler,” which translates to “They can do anything,” referring to the authorities’ capacity to leverage power to maintain control. He pointed out that after the arrest of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor and presidential candidate, Ekrem İmamoğlu, no longer should the public assume that something is impossible, as they are capable of pursuing extreme measures to hold onto power.
Furthermore, Başarır expressed his dismay at the very idea of appointing a trustee to a political party, suggesting that in a just society, even discussing such matters would be considered disgraceful. He acknowledged, however, that the current political environment allows for such an unprecedented and unfair action.
As the public response to the opposition parties’ efforts gains momentum and their polling numbers rise, Başarır noted that their political rivals are becoming increasingly agitated. He commented, “Anketlerde bizim oylar yükseldikçe, onların oyları düştükçe,” which means “As our votes rise in the polls, their votes decline,” indicating a growing disconnect between governance and public sentiment.
“TÜRKİYE’Yİ KARIŞTIRMAK MI İSTİYORSUN?”
Continuing with his statement, Başarır challenged the very notion of imposing a trustee on what he referred to as “Türkiye’nin birinci partisi” or “Turkey’s leading party.” He questioned the motivations behind such a move, suggesting it could lead to chaos in the country as millions could mobilize in response. “Milyonlar Türkiye’nin her yerinden Ankara’ya gelir,” meaning “Millions will come from all over Turkey to Ankara,” reflects his belief that the public would not sit idly by in the face of such political maneuvers.
He further criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, implying that if such a decision were to be made, it could provoke significant civil unrest. “Türkiye’yi karıştırmak mı istiyorsun?” translates to “Do you want to stir chaos in Turkey?” indicating the high stakes involved with political decisions that can jeopardize social stability.
In the wake of such potential political upheaval, he called for Erdoğan to take decisive action. He suggested that Erdoğan should publicly disclose his intentions and address the country directly, especially considering the gravity of potentially imprisoning notable political figures such as İmamoğlu, Selahattin Demirtaş, and Ümit Özdağ.
“BU ÜLKEYİ HUKUKSUZLARA VERMEYECEĞİZ”
Addressing the ramifications of such actions, Başarır lamented that the nation is facing a monumental threat. He recounted the unwillingness of those in power to relinquish control, stating that even with electoral losses, the ruling party would resort to extreme measures, such as appointing trustees or usurping control of opposition parties, and continue proclaiming, “gitmem diyor,” which translates to “he says he won’t leave.”
He emphasized that this is a critical juncture for the citizens of Turkey. The choice facing the populace is stark: either surrender the nation to what he describes as an unjust regime or resist and fight for the kind of leadership and governance that reflects the will of the people. “Ya bu ülkeyi bu zihniyette teslim edeceğiz ya da direneceğiz,” translates to “Either we will surrender this country to this mentality or we will resist.” This call to arms for civic duty reflects the urgency he feels for citizens to protect their democratic