ELİF AKGÜL

Istanbul - While the economy in Turkey has hit rock bottom, the debates for snap parliamentary elections continue. Even though the meeting held by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Meral Akşener, leader of the İYİ (Good) Party, Gültekin Uysal, the leader of the Democrat Party, Ahmet Davutoğlu, the leader of Future Party and Ali Babacan, the leader of the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) is called as “historic night for democracy” in Turkey, another alternative for voters is being formed as a third way.

Representatives of the Labour Party (EMEP), Communist Party of Turkey (TKP), Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP), Party for Social Freedom (TÖP), Federation of Socialist Assemblies (SMF) and Halkevleri begin to meet for forming the third alliance to offer voters another opportunity. More participants are expected to attend the second meeting to be held this month.

We spoke to journalist and writer Nuray Sancar about the search for a third alliance among the left and the socialist parties. “The third alliance is not only a need, but also a must,” Nuray Sancar said that alliance, which wastes time for years by saying, “Wait for the elections, put us into power,” cannot offer a solution.

“There is no other choice but a united struggle”

Is the third alliance a need? What is the main reason for the meetings?

The third alliance is not only a need, but also a must. Turkey has been pushed into a dark path. It has been governed by an oppressive regime that considers itself outside of criticism and control, uses violence against every protest and citizen seeking their rights. The economic situation is not good at all. Workers pay heavy bills in every respect. Poverty and unemployment have increased. Femicide rises at alarming rates. Young people singing Kurdish songs were tried to be silenced. People have taken to the streets to protest. The workers have gone on strike; shopkeepers hang bills on their shop windows. But each segment shows their reaction separately. They should unite. Since the alliance, which wastes time for years by saying, “Wait for the elections, put us into power,” cannot offer a solution, there is no other choice but a united struggle.

“It should be seen as an opportunity, not an obstacle”

During each election, concern about “vote splitting” is raised. Could the third alliance be a response to this concern?

I think that those who say “don't let the votes be split” condemn the voters to themselves. They cannot offer a solution but they ask the votes of those who are marginalized in politics. The third option (alliance) should be seen as an opportunity, not an obstacle, to overthrow this regime.

There are two stages of the elections; presidential election and parliamentary elections.  All opposition parties can, of course, unite for the presidential election. This one-man regime system must be changed. But the third option (alliance) will provide the opportunity to have more voices in the parliament.

Since the third option has to be based on certain principles, the parties try to build a common ground because for most of the parties, this alliance is not an alliance to fall apart after the elections. The important thing for them is to form a strong, long-lasting and flexible alliance for struggle. The short-term common aim of the parties is to get rid of the one-man regime. They aim to establish democracy again, ensure fundamental rights and freedoms for everyone, humane living and working conditions for the workers and solve the Kurdish question on the basis of equal rights.