Erdogan’s complaint of resistance

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed Muhsin Ertu?rul Theater in ?stanbul over the weekend, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an complained about the resistance of some circles against his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government’s efforts for the well-being of the country. He recalled how some circles reacted to the ?stanbul Municipality’s plans to re-construct the theater, claiming that the municipality’s real goal was to construct a mosque or a hotel in the area of the demolished theater; however, the new theater building, which is equipped with high-technology, has disproved skeptics.

This is a small example of the struggle Erdo?an complains about, and this resistance causes much damage to the country when it is in question regarding the government’s plans to realize more significant things for the country such as changing the current coup-era Constitution. Although analysts agree that Erdo?an has just reasons to complain about the resistance and opposition to the government’s actions, they say the prime minister should not be demoralized and should go ahead with his plans because he has great public support behind him.

Milliyet’s Taha Akyol explains that there is a segment in Turkey that regards itself as “modern” but is afraid of pluralism and has been opposed to many developments such as color television, the automotive industry and Turkey reaching out to the world. So, he says both Erdo?an and ?stanbul Mayor Kadir Topba? are both right in complaining about the resistance of this circle against their actions.

Nevertheless, Akyol says there is a fact that Erdo?an needs to take into consideration: Tension and polarization in the country has been greater during the AK Party government’s term. The way to normalize this, according to Akyol, is for Erdo?an and his party to reach out to figures in the secularist segment who will pacify the fears of this group. “It is the appointment of efficient individuals to posts in the party, government and bureaucracy,” suggests Akyol.

Bugün’s Adem Yavuz Arslan agrees that Erdo?an is right in complaining because there is strong opposition to many of the steps the government and the AK Party municipalities face; however, he thinks that there is something the prime minister is mistaken about. “If Erdo?an is in power, he does not have the right to complain with the discourse of an opposition party. The public gave you much support in the general elections of 2002 and 2007.

The latest polls also suggest that the public continues to support you. The thing that is the responsibility of the government is to make the necessary legal amendments that will permanently eliminate systemic flaws. It has to do this, although this will have bitter costs and politically negative results,” Arslan says, adding that the government is not the authority that should complain but is the authority that produces solutions. “Although some circles have fears, it is necessary not to be afraid of going to the public,” he says. Fatma Disli Zibak by Todays Zaman