BY SUKRU KUCUKSAHIN
HURRIYET- We just saw back-to-back visits to Brussels by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, seen as being negative about the European Union in recent years. The good EU vibes, which began after our chief EU talks negotiator Ali Babacan was replaced by Egemen Bagis, give the impression that these visits to Brussels will yield important results. Baykal is back from Brussels after dispelling at least some of his party's lack of trust in the EU, and this situation should be considered very significant. Moreover, Baykal is glad to see that his direct contacts caused relations with Brussels to be taken out of the monopoly of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.
Baykal reached this point through giving these messages to the EU administration: Your relations shouldn't be with a single government, but should also take into consideration opposition political parties, trade unions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In recent years we have made many changes to our Constitution and other laws in order to harmonize with the EU, but Turkey still doesn't feel safer or freer than in the past. I think there are concrete reasons for this situation.
On the one hand, Turkey is going backwards due to the pressure of certain circles, but the government's moves loom larger. The independence of the judiciary has eroded. Phone lines are being tapped without restraint or control. In addition, there has been great pressure on the media. Social aid which could sway elections continues even during campaigning. Parliamentary immunity remains, and corruption is on the rise.
As a result, over the last six years the Turkish people haven't felt more European. In addition, there has been a retreat from secularism, and a distancing from democracy, too. We came to this point by acting responsibly and now we're waiting for something from you in return. The people he spoke to listened carefully to Baykal and replied to him. I won't go into detail, because the important thing is that Baykal was glad with these replies and mentioned his support for Turkey's EU bid at every opportunity.
Baykal also had a positive stance on the requests of people he spoke to about energy and unionization and said that if the government takes steps, we would support it. Many reports have said that CHP relations with the European Parliament's Socialist Group had soured, but this time Baykal had a good meeting with Martin Schultz, the group's head. I can say this because Schultz invited him to visit later this year, and Baykal immediately accepted.
On his way back from Brussels, Erdogan also greenlighted a measure which might have a huge impact on Turkish politics. Erdogan said it was time to amend the Political Parties and Elections Law, citing the high 10% election threshold and a project for 100 'all-Turkey' deputies to address this. He added that election expenditures should be reduced to EU standards and said they would look into addressing these issues by the end of the year. The CHP is ready to lend its support and if Erdogan is being sincere, it would be great to witness a huge revolution in Turkish politics this year.