Political scientist Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan stated that the peaceful and orderly transfer of power after elections, free of fraud, quarrels, and noise, is an indicator of the level of civilization, adding that our country's record in this regard is not bad. Arslan noted that international press and state institutions are closely following the May 14, 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections, reminding that the elections are of global importance. Emphasizing that the world's eyes are on Turkey, Arslan stated that we are witnessing a truly significant historical process in terms of the destiny of our country and nation.
"The 2023 General Elections are globally significant"
Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan, Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations (English) at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, evaluated the 2023 General Elections based on Turkey's electoral history.
"There are no examples of major chaos and conflicts after elections in our country"
Political scientist Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan gave chronological examples from Turkey's electoral history, stating, "A democratic process has been ongoing in our country since 1876. Elections are held, even if problems arise from time to time. Although the reflection of the popular will, first in the ballot box and then in the Parliament, seems like a very natural process to us, this is not a process experienced by every country and every nation. The peaceful and orderly transfer of power after elections, free of fraud, quarrels, and noise, is an indicator of the level of civilization. Our country's record in this regard is not very bad. Questionable elections, like those in 1946, were also experienced. Although it cannot be claimed that the two-stage elections held during the single-party years reflected the popular will, there are still no examples in our democratic history where election results were not recognized by the opposition or the ruling party, and where major chaos and conflicts occurred after elections." With these sentences, she adopted a historical approach to the elections.
The only instance where the Parliament was not operational was after the 1919 general elections
Arslan gave the following examples for exceptions: "The only instance in Turkey where democratic processes were interrupted and the Parliament was not operational occurred as a result of the 1919 general elections. That was when the Ottoman Chamber of Deputies (Meclisi Mebusan) was raided and forcibly dispersed by the occupation forces of Great Britain, supposedly the greatest example of democracy. A new general election was not held for the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) which opened in Ankara on April 23, 1920; it was formed by the members of the dissolved Ottoman Chamber of Deputies."
Elections and democracy have a deep-rooted history in Turkey
Arslan stated that despite Western occupiers claiming to fight for democracy, elections in Turkey have a deep-rooted history: "In our country, the War of Independence was conducted under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Pasha, within the Grand National Assembly (TBMM), where different views and parties were represented. The National Struggle was carried out by a civilian and elected body. This is why elections and democracy have a deep-rooted history in Turkey, even despite Western occupiers claiming to fight for democracy. Turkey is a country where the first order issued by that great commander, who witnessed the success of the final military operation that tore apart the foreign occupation on August 26, 1921, was 'Armies of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, your first target is the Mediterranean, forward!' After our country joined NATO, the TBMM Armies, which were a parliamentary army, were renamed as the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK)."
A deep-seated tension always exists in our country
Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan underlined that tension can be experienced in our country due to changes in state policies along with elections: "Despite our democratic tradition, and excluding some provocative incidents, a deep-seated tension always exists in our country, which generally experiences peaceful elections. The reason for this is the fact that elections can change the established order / existing system and state policies. For example, in the UK, British foreign policy largely remains unchanged, regardless of which party comes to power. However, in our country, even the Cyprus issue, known as a state policy, could have irreversibly resulted against the country with the acceptance of the Annan plan in the past. This tension will continue as long as political parties and governments continue to view the country's economic and political independence from different perspectives." she commented.
Party rallies have been problem-free so far
Arslan stated that "party rallies, which have generally gone smoothly so far, along with the elections on Sunday, May 14, 2023, concluding without controversy; whether the government continues or changes, should be a declaration to friends, foes, and the entire world that the republic founded by Atatürk is functioning democratically 100 years after its establishment." Arslan said that the May 14, 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections are of global importance. Arslan concluded her remarks by saying: "The May 14, 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections, closely followed by international press and state institutions, are of global importance. The world's eyes are on Turkey. The election results will closely affect Turkey's NATO, EU, Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, and Greece relations, as well as its migration policies and energy ties. It appears to be of truly great historical importance for the destiny of our country and nation."