The “duel” that took place between Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat and Republican People’s Party (CHP) parliamentary group deputy chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has been the subject of many comments from different perspectives.

Some even assert that the recent confrontation will serve as a turning point in politics because, despite the expectations, it did not turn into a duel.

A former minister who views the confrontation as the natural outcome of the escalation in political tension over the last two years says he sees this as a positive development.

The confrontation between Kılıçdaroğlu and Fırat coincided with an interesting iftar dinner. The event, sponsored by the Turgut Özal Ideas and Actions Association, put emphasis on the need for a conflict-free Turkey. Leading political figures recalled remarks by former President Turgut Özal, who said: “I want a Turkey where all issues are discussed. For a conflict-free Turkey, all problems should be discussed in a mature and acceptable style.”

A friend of mine who served as a minister in Özal’s cabinet told me at the dinner: “Debates are a natural part of politics. Sometimes people with different opinions and views toward the same issue may tend to turn a debate into a bitter confrontation. We have even seen instances where the parties took such debates to different levels. But the top AK Party and CHP figures made big mistakes over the last two years. You may recall that in the second half of 2006, the CHP initiated a discussion on who would be eligible for the presidential post. Their stance was clear: They did not want a second Özal in Çankaya Palace. That was a wrong and yet clear stance. Özal managed to take over the presidency from a retired general who staged a military coup without causing any tension or problems. Because of small but consecutive mistakes by the AK Party, a similar success did not follow this time.”

Noting that every experience has a certain price, the senior politician also says: “I think Gül, [Prime Minister Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan and [former Parliament Speaker Bülent] Arınç will admit their mistakes if they take a look at what they have done in the recent past. Of course, experiences have prices. The AK Party leadership has learned from this experience that they would serve better in a tension-free Turkey. If the current debate between these two politicians is considered a turning point, both Turkey and its political parties will win.”

While we were having this conversation, Arınç was called to the stage. His remarks confirmed those of my friend. He made references to the harm done by political tension and also engaged in some self-criticism.

Those who pay attention to the connection between the confrontation between Fırat and Kılıçdaroğlu and the upcoming local elections assert that Uğur Dündar and Kılıçdaroğlu will be nominated by the CHP in two metropolitan cities.

Some observers stress that both have actually lost, asserting that party leaders often do not like party members who “talk too much.”

We will all wait and see what consequences the confrontation, held on Sept. 25, will have. I still remember that Özal’s success was reinforced by the debate aired on television before the 1983 elections.

Toptan regrets beingn picked as parliament speaker

There has been talk indicating that AK Party Zonguldak deputy Köksal Toptan, who was elected parliament speaker with the support of other parties, is not happy in his post. A CHP deputy confirmed this rumor, which I heard from a leading AK Party figure. Some say that Toptan, who attracts attention because of his gentle style, is paying the price for his excessive gentleness and courtesy.

Toptan, who went through a difficult time during the controversy over the constitutional amendments removing the headscarf ban at universities, noted back then that he was receiving all the criticism stirred up by the issue. The Constitutional Court, which was supposed to review the amendments to the Articles 10 and 42 of the Constitution in terms procedure rather than content, transgressed Parliament’s authority when it decided to make its decision on the basis of the content of the amendments.

Toptan, who was strongly criticized by his own party because of his alleged failure to preserve the integrity and dignity of Parliament, also caused a row when he recommended the formation of a senate.

In an attempt to restore his image, Toptan initiated a process for a civilian constitution; however, he could not even start because of the CHP’s negative stance.

AKSİAD’s great success

The Turkish-African Cultural, Social and Economic Cooperation Association (AKSİAD), which works to enhance cooperation and friendship between Turkey and African countries, has attracted a great deal of attention with its recent successes.

The projects we saw during an iftar that was sponsored by AKSİAD were quite impressive. AKSİAD General Coordinator Kemalettin Özdemir also serves as the honorary consul of the Central African Republic in Ankara. He stresses that AKSİAD’s current success is actually unbelievable considering the fact that their work started just 15 years ago, also adding that their success should be attributed to the Anatolian people. But it should be recalled that these people do not live in a country where the income per capita is around $40,000-50,000.

Özdemir told a success story of a school in Cameroon. During the construction of a school sponsored by the association in the capital, Yaoundé, Cameroon’s education minister asked them to build another one in his hometown of Ngaounde.

Retired civil servant Halil Kaya Sür and his wife, Özden, decided to provide the necessary funds for the construction of the school.

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