Local Elections And Unemployment

BY HURSIT GUNES
MILLIYET- Local elections will be held on March 29. All parties will do their best to flex their muscles in this election. The effect of the economic crisis will have a major impact.

Of course the government is the sole party responsible for the current crisis, due to its bad economic policies, as Turkey's economy began to decline long before the global crisis. Moreover, it has been affected more than other states. And because of this, the ruling party should lose votes. But there's a possibility that these losses will be limited.

Let's come to the reasons. Worldwide, the basic factor making up voters' minds is unemployment. Here, unemployment seems set to surge this summer - in other words, after the elections. But none of the opposition parties are making enough of the issue. If they did, they could win more votes.

Secondly, all the opposition parties have failed to form a serious alternative to the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) years-long municipal rule in big cities, even though the AKP has gotten exhausted over this span of time.

Indeed, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has a very successful tradition in local administration (although it hasn't capitalized on this). Both in the '70s and '80s, it had major accomplishments. But we have seen little made of this on the eve of elections.

Another issue is the candidates. The AKP has announced its candidates. The Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) candidates have never come forward. The candidates of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) will be chosen by its partisans. But votes for both parties are quite militant. This means who runs isn't so important.

Meanwhile, CHP voters, as they are relatively well educated, don't act in lockstep. Who runs has great importance. That's why the CHP is in bind. It has taken good steps in both Ankara and Izmir. By not changing the current mayor in Izmir, it said, 'We have been successful here.' In Ankara, it proposed a legendary name from the past, Murat Karayalcin. This choice was a real turning point for CHP leader Deniz Baykal. He gave the message that he's ready to do anything to promote the party's success. But, after that, the CHP should find new figures for the capital.

In Adana, the main opposition party is rumored to favor Umit Ozgumus. Following the AKP's dismissal of Aytac Durak, the CHP seems set to rise in the city. The CHP administration has recently had a hard time finding a candidate for Istanbul. Baykal has made many attempts but couldn't find a candidate that satisfies him. Istanbul is very important. As Ercan Karakas says, 'First Istanbul, than Turkey.'

The CHP has three names for Istanbul. One of them is provincial Chairman Gursel Tekin, along with - although he doesn't want it - the honest, hardworking Kemal Kilicdaroglu, and finally former State Minister Ercan Karakas. Kilicdaroglu may be a wonderful name, but during the campaign instead of general policies, talking about Istanbul may be more effective. In addition, I never welcome a mayoral candidate from Parliament. Perhaps to emphasize unity on the left, Karakas may be the best figure.

During this election, the candidates should talk about local ventures, while opposition parties are focusing on the economic crisis. Otherwise, the AKP can add another five years to its 15 years ruling local administrations.