Bahceli: Ending Terrorism is a National Idea, We Will Not Give Up Our Determination
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli made important statements at his party’s Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) group meeting. In his speech, Bahçeli made evaluations on a wide range of issues from the fight against terrorism to Turkey-US relations, from suspensions in municipalities to Turkish unity, and once again emphasized the determined stance of the MHP.
“We Stand Behind Everything We Do and Say”
Underlining that the fight against terrorism is a national issue, Devlet Bahçeli said, “Burying our heads in the sand for fear of votes or elections when the homeland is under threat is a state of degradation that is not written in our book.” Stating that the terrorist organization PKK has come to an end, Bahçeli emphasized that there is no safe space left for any terrorist.
Emphasizing the importance of efforts to strengthen fraternal ties with Kurdish citizens, Bahçeli said, “Embracing our Kurdish brothers and sisters and making the national fraternal law Turkey’s strongest position that will not fall is a sign of our loyalty to the future and the past.”
Turkic World and Common Alphabet
Bahçeli also evaluated the work on the common alphabet of Turkey, Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Stating that the 34-letter alphabet, which is planned to be completed in 2024, is a historic step that will strengthen Turkish unity, Bahçeli said, “This development will further shine the torch of the Turkish Century.”
Criticisms against CHP
Criticizing CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Bahçeli described the actions of the CHP and the Democratic Labor Party (DEM) over municipalities as “an example of morally bankrupt politics”. Claiming that some of the CHP’s discourses are trying to sow seeds of social discord, Bahçeli said, “Kurds and Alevis are ours; they are the main veins of our national unity.”
Municipalities Suspended from Duty
Referring to the suspensions in Esenyurt, Mardin, Batman and Halfeti municipalities, Bahçeli criticized the CHP’s attitude in this process. Bahçeli criticized the CHP’s cooperation with DEM, saying, “It has been revealed with documents how the CHP and DEM have turned into identical twins.”
Relations with the US and Trump’s Presidency
Commenting on the presidential elections in the US, Bahçeli said Turkey’s priority is national interests. “We think that a clean slate should be opened with the US,” Bahçeli said, adding that the policies of the new president Donald Trump regarding Turkey will be closely monitored. Bahçeli emphasized that Trump’s approach to the Palestinian-Israeli issue, his view on the PKK/YPG terrorist organizations and his approach to relations with Turkey will be decisive.
National Unity Message
Frequently emphasizing national unity and solidarity in his speech, Bahçeli stated that the Turkish nation will never back down in protecting its common values. “There is no politics if there is a gun, there is no democracy if there is betrayal,” Bahçeli said, reminding once again that the MHP favors national unity and brotherhood.
These statements attracted attention as a speech in which Bahçeli strongly demonstrated the MHP’s influence and stance on national politics.
