The AK Party is the visible target because there is a confrontation at a deeper level that has built up over time.

- 07 / 05 / 2008 08:37

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has given its response to the indictment brought against it in the Constitutional Court. Even if it is a truly legal text that will make its mark on history, will this response have any effect on the decision of the Constitutional Court?

Even if the argument that the indictment is the first step of a political counter attack and that we are undergoing a judicial coup is true, there is still a question that remains: What will the AK Party, as the visible target of the attack, do in this process? The AK Party is the visible target because there is a confrontation at a deeper level that has built up over time. Isn't it possible to find a middle ground instead of a confrontation? Is there still a chance for this?

Since the establishment of the AK Party, my answer to this question has always been: "Yes, there is a chance, but it is hard to overcome those who regard self-sacrifice as concession." The wisdom or the courage to share administration with those who do not think like you, embracing as many people as possible with due respect to honesty and competence, would considerably facilitate efforts toward conciliation. Currently, any hint at this possibility will only make you a target of attacks. Actually, when opponents take up their positions against each other, even the most reasonable person may be unfairly criticized for "changing sides depending on circumstances." Even Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan, whose character is well respected, may be defamed. Some new Internet sites are being used to launch such attacks. During hard times, the worst jobs are assigned to the people who can establish dialogue with other people. This is because these people risk being labeled as acting on behalf of certain groups or being connected to certain people as they try to find solution to emergent issues. Sometimes even photographs are used to support these defamation campaigns.

Such unfair treatment afforded even to politicians who would never engage in treachery is sufficient to show that hard times await the AK Party. At this point, I must say that whatever this process might bring, the AK Party must maintain friendship, trust, harmony and determination in a show of solidarity within its own ranks. This is because what is tested during these hard times is the strength of the bonds between them. The weakest link will be the first to go. No castle can be conquered by an external attack unless the people defending that castle show weakness, losing solidarity among themselves.

Now we can move on to the curious question: What will the AK Party management do?

It seems the AK Party will wait for the decisions of the Constitutional Court. The first of these decisions will be about the constitutional amendments that lifted the ban on the headscarf on university campuses. Given the potential effects of this decision on the closure case, the AK Party's wait-and-see strategy can be considered a wise one.

The move to pass a package of constitutional amendments that would bring tighter requirements for party closures, which I, too, support, may be considered at a later stage.

Even though it is the wronged party, the AK Party is refraining from actions that might undermine the prestige of the Constitutional Court. Taking into consideration the fact that the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) tends to refer almost every decision made by Parliament to the Constitutional Court, one may understand why the AK Party is hesitant to go with the constitutional amendment option in the face of the closure threat. Indeed, even if this package is enacted and the referendum requirements are eased, the CHP will make every effort to block it.

It is obvious that the current state of affairs in the country in terms of economic stability and risk of chaos bothers everyone who has the slightest love for this country. Yet, is it impossible to try to stop this polarization and ease tensions even at this stage? Will it be too testing to make some self-sacrifice?

Turkey is at a historical crossroads, and it is seeking a solution in which common sense will prevail at the last moment.