Six years in the past, at a worldwide discussion board in Strasbourg, I referred to as on the world’s democrats to unite to handle regional and world challenges. The identical understanding underpins the insurance policies I’ve pursued at dwelling. I did my greatest to unite Turkey’s democrats towards an anti-democratic and authoritarian authorities, and we succeeded in forming a big coalition for democracy. The Nation Alliance is composed of six events, together with my Republican People’s Party, or CHP. Each of them represents a unique custom in Turkish political historical past. As such, the Nation Alliance symbolises our will to co-exist peacefully, regardless of our variations, by discovering frequent floor on common rules of liberal democracy. I’ve little doubt that we’ll carry out strongly within the presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14th, and that we’ll win.
We will reveal that, even beneath the present unjust and authoritarian situations—with the ruling social gathering making use of fixed stress to silence the opposition—a peaceable change of presidency is potential by elections. As a end result, Turkey will function a task mannequin for different international locations struggling towards authoritarian governments, particularly within the Middle East. This is a task that we now have performed earlier than. Recall that the founding father of our republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, was an inspiration to reformers and anti-colonialists throughout the area. The Turkish Republic, based on the tenets of secularism and the favored will, served as a mannequin for a lot of who’ve fought for democracy in their very own international locations.
A century on, it is our technology’s flip to play its half in re-establishing Turkey as a task mannequin: a republic during which no citizen is discriminated towards, and the place the safety of basic rights, rule of legislation, secularism, transparency and accountability are the primary pillars of the state. In this republic, corruption might be eradicated, revenue inequality might be minimised, politics might be used to advertise social peace slightly than to stoke battle and polarisation. Foreign coverage might be guided by rational decision-making that adheres to worldwide legislation. This achievement will fan the winds of change within the area and past.
The imaginative and prescient of Turkey as a democratic function mannequin doesn’t, in fact, solely prolong eastwards. Consider the challenges posed in Europe by anti-democratic regimes, xenophobia and the Russo-Ukrainian battle, and it turns into clear that our elections could also be a reference level for our neighbours within the West, too. A victory in Turkey for our democratic alliance might herald a brand new starting for Europe. I hope it’s going to present the significance of European democrats banding collectively to confront their opponents.
It is crucial that each one European political events that imagine in human rights, decrease inequality and respect for worldwide legislation type a united entrance within the face of worldwide challenges. High on the record of challenges are local weather change, which has a extreme influence on the Mediterranean basin, uncontrolled migration brought on by the failures of the worldwide safety system, and world wealth inequalities. These can solely be resolved by a global coalition that spans the political spectrum.
Our victory on May 14th may even restore Turkey’s Western orientation. That orientation is the reflection of an excellent. For Turkey, the West means democracy, rule of legislation, human rights (not least ladies’s rights) and equality. Under our management there might be no “different” in our society. No one might be discriminated towards due to their political, private, non secular or regional identities and decisions. For Turkey, the primary promise of the Nation Alliance is freedom, and we’re keen to be held accountable for fulfilling it.
Turkey’s Western orientation is not aimed towards any of its neighbours; slightly it displays the nation’s need to co-exist peacefully with all of them. When outlined primarily based on these shared values, Turkey will at all times be a proud member of the West. In all worldwide establishments Turkey belongs within the Western grouping, and can proceed to behave as such.
The authorities that we’ll type will deliver us nearer to our Western allies politically, economically, socially and culturally. This needn’t undermine relations with our different neighbours. We are totally conscious that there are points that should be resolved between Turkey and the West, notably the European Union. We know that no answer could be discovered to those issues by public showdowns, mutual threats, blackmail or infinite, meaningless negotiations. For us, it is essential that worldwide relations be performed rationally, with dignified diplomacy. In authorities we are going to work constructively to restart the EU accession course of and commit Turkey to complying with the choices of the European Court of Human Rights.
We have come collectively not solely to win the elections but additionally to handle Turkey’s basic issues. The Nation Alliance will mend the fault strains in Turkish politics and can heal our wounds peacefully. The winners is not going to solely be those that vote for us however all Turkish residents.
The motto of the Nation Alliance’s election marketing campaign is “I promise, spring will come once more”, a line from a well known Turkish pop tune. Our union of events will ship on that pledge. And the ensuing advantages is not going to be confined to our borders, however may even prolong to Turkey’s relations with Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Russia, China and past.
We are nearly there. Spring is coming.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu is the chairman of the Republican People’s Party and the presidential candidate for the Nation Alliance.
Turkey’s minister of international affairs withdrew his visitor essay after The Economist revealed a canopy story on Turkey on May 4th.
© 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, revealed beneath licence. The authentic content material could be discovered on www.economist.com
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