Center-right Discussions And The A.K.P.

BY BILAL CETIN
VATAN- Once again we've seen that a single day can change a great deal in Turkish politics. In fact we should expect important changes from now on. But the most important development of the election process is seeking the answer to this question: Who is exactly the center right? But the debate over the real owner of the center right and unification is now over. As of today, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is the only party on this section of the political spectrum.

The AKP has been working to position itself on the center right since it was founded. At first the expectations and doubts about both the AKP itself and some outside developments didn't let this happen, but recent developments largely dispelled the confusion. In this respect, it's clear that the AKP and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan owe much to some politicians who left the AKP without an alternative due to their petty causes. Only a few days ago, the unification project of the opposition True Path Party (DYP) and Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) under the umbrella of the Democrat Party (DP) posed a serious risk to the AKP, whose possible failure in next month's general elections could have placed the DP at the apex of the center right. But this project fizzled, and now the DYP and ANAVATAN are at a point where we can wonder if they can defend their integrity any longer.

One of the most important steps the AKP took towards becoming the sole choice on the center right is its list of candidates released yesterday. With this list the AKP is giving an important message: It's true that most of the founders of this party as well as the current deputies come from the Islamist National Voice tradition, but yesterday's list flies in the face of this. When we look at the list, we can't call the AKP an Islamist, anti-secularist party. The list is a reasonable one that classic center and center right parties could draw up.

In sum, the AKP is positioning itself as a modern-day version of the 1950s Democrat Party (DP) or the `60s and `70s Justice Party (AP).