17 March 2022 20:36
EMEP Chair Ercüment Akdeniz: “We are trying to create a popular option that prioritises the struggle and builds a platform of struggle. It is not a finalised alliance, nor is it yet an electoral alliance.”
Speaking about the “third alliance” agenda meeting of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP), Labour Party (EMEP), Social Freedom Party (TÖP), Labourers’ Movement Party (EHP), Socialist Assemblies Federation (SMF) and Community Centres (Halkevleri) representatives, EMEP Chair Ercüment Akdeniz said: “The need for a struggle was emphasised in the first meeting.
“Everything was discussed based on elections and ballot boxes. It was emphasised that it was a priority to put forward an understanding of struggle based on the will of the peoples in a process.
“In the second meeting, coordination was established. This was very important.”
Stating that there is a direct link between war and the problems experienced, Akdeniz said: “There will be a substantial Peace Rally, which will also be discussed in the seven-party alliance.
“These parties will lead the event. It will be held in Istanbul in April. It is also being considered in other cities.”
In the second meeting held on February 26, with the participation of representatives of HDP, TİP, TÖP, SMF, EHP and Community Centres, many important decisions were made in addition to the plan to establish a “joint coordination.”
Akdeniz said that they have determined that the existing alliances and political parties cannot be a solution to the problems of the working class and the peoples of Turkey, and therefore they have been searching for a third alliance for a year.
Expressing that they held meetings with political parties, labour and professional organisations, Akdeniz said that their work has grown.
Akdeniz said: “We had joint meetings with the other parties. We attach great importance to this, we find it valuable.
“We are trying to take it towards a certain course.”
Regarding the discussions held at the meeting, Akdeniz said: “The need for a struggle was emphasised in the first meeting.
“In other words, it was emphasised that in a process where everything is discussed on the basis of elections and ballot boxes, it is a priority to put forward an understanding of struggle based on the will of the peoples.
“In the second meeting, coordination was established. This was very important.
“Not only emphasising the need for such an option but also creating its mechanism is a very practical step. It is crossing a threshold.
“A calendar for action was prepared that prioritises the economic problems of the people, the war, and the Covid-19 related health problems of the people. The coordinating board is working on that.”
Highlighting that the Nation Alliance and the parties close to it have recently published a memorandum of understanding, Akdeniz said that they saw that their observations were correct when looking at this text.
Pointing out that the published text is a revision of the old parliamentary order, Akdeniz said: “It is not possible for Turkey to find a way out [of the current crisis] by only changing form.
“The text does not contain the demands of the working class, the Kurdish people, or the principle of independence in foreign policy.
“And yet, there is an understanding of NATO.
“For us, the solution is in the opposite direction. Turkey should leave NATO and cancel bilateral agreements with all imperialist countries. A fraternal law should be developed in the region.
“In fact, the Nation Alliance and the People’s Alliance both do not rely on the people and do not offer a solution to the people.
“On the contrary, we present a solution based on the workers and the people. We will surely achieve it.”
Pointing out that he attended public meetings in dozens of cities and met with citizens from all walks of life, Akdeniz said: “These groups have a demand for unity. This is what the public expects.
“We look at the expectations of the people. We cannot simply just put ourselves in their shoes. We have to listen to them.
“We cannot create a centre point of attraction if we cannot bring together those who are outside of two opposing poles.”
Recalling the industrial actions taken by workers over the last two months, Akdeniz said that this shows that a strong wave of workers is coming.
Stating that the agenda changed following Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Akdeniz said: “The bourgeois media is using this war to cover up the economic and democratic problems in Turkey.
“There are constant war analyses on the screens. There is no talk of how peace will be achieved.
“There is a direct link between the war and the problems we are experiencing. We did a study for this and a press release was published. Its content is important.
“I can say for certain that there will be a substantial Peace Rally, which was also spoken in the seven-party alliance. These parties will lead the event.
“It will be held in Istanbul in April. It is being considered in other cities as well.”
Akdeniz, emphasising the historical importance of March 8, March 21 and May 1 in 2022, said: “In our second meeting, these dates were also discussed.
“Here, the people and the working class need to show their strength in the concourses.
“A tendency towards partnership was shown in the seven-party alliance, which we will see especially at Newroz celebrations.”
Underlining that the citizens living in the country are stuck in many ways and they have no strength left to wait for the next election, Akdeniz said: “An opportunity has arisen for the one-man government to create a state of emergency regime. They will make the best use of the war.
“They will make the external war an instrument of the internal struggle for hegemony. In that respect, we have an endeavour to create a public option that prioritises the struggle and builds a platform of struggle.
“It’s not a finalised alliance, nor is it yet an electoral alliance.
“At the moment, it is a platform of struggle where the wider public can participate. It is a popular alliance platform.
“We invite everyone to this platform.” (EVRENSEL DAILY)
Bülent Falakaoğlu
Hakkı Özdal
