November 1 Elections: Political Atmosphere in Mediterranean

The first stop of Mediterranean election cycle prior to November 1 elections is Burdur.

Burdur sends three deputies to parliament. As a result of June 7 elections, Justice and Development Party (AKP) gained one deputy with 43 percent, People's Republican Party (CHP) gained one deputy with 27 percent, and Nationalist Movement Party gained one deputy with 23 percent of voting.

When we hand the microphone to residents, the first complaint we hear is unemployment. In addition to that, issues like moving Mehmet Akif Ersoy University out of the city, cancelling railway line, and ending the practice of sending people, who did their military service by payment, to Burdur, which has crippled Burdur's economy since that privilege was granted to citizens of Turkey who live abroad and contribute to Burdur's economy during their military service are among the basic problems.

What do deputy candidates think before November 1 elections? We directed this question to deputy candidate Bayram Özçelik from AKP, and deputy candidate Mehmet Göker from CHP.

Özçelik: Coalition should be formed with MHP in case we lose majority

"We made three mistakes before June 7 elections. We couldn't explain well the resolution process and our pledges to public. Some candidates were not right, especially the ones for eastern and southeastern regions.

"I favor AKP-MHP coalition in case we lose majority since surveys manifest our grassroots support this coalition.

"As things stand, it is impossible to stand side by side with Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) as long as it doesn't condemn Kurdistan Workers' Party (HDP). There is no such thing as resolution process, the fighting will continue until terror is over."

Göker: Unemployment rate is 9 percent

"Burdur used to live on agriculture and husbandry. However, high gasoline prices, milk becoming valueless has damaged agriculture and husbandry.

"As people cannot make their living in village, they move to centrals agreeing minimum wage. Unemployment has risen to 9 percent.

"City's economy is not going well. Regulation change in paid military service also hurt economy.

"The other issue is moving university out of the city. University transforms a city in both economic and cultural ways.

"They have cancelled Burdur's railway line on the grounds that it doesn't bring benefit to economy, this did harm both economy and social life."

Isparta

Our next stop is Isparta, where AKP had two, CHP and MHP each had one deputies. People in Isparta don't show much interest in the elections, however they feel worried when we want to hand the microphone as they avoid giving interviews.

Major problems of Isparta may be listed as unemployment, increasing pressure on women due to rising conservatism, bad education system, air pollution, and lack of cultural activities such as theaters, concerts, etc.

CHP deputy candidate İsa Önder Dinçtürk stated that "even though conservative and pious people are fed up with AKP, they cannot see another option."

Dinçtürk added, "Besides, people are worried that socio-economical aids might be cut off. We are trying to explain them that no matter which party comes in power, those aids will remain.

"Nevertheless, AKP threaten them with aid cut. AKP wants to create a needy society by leaving people to poverty."

Antalya

We spoke with CHP deputy candidate Niyazi Nefi Kara and HDP deputy candidate Saruhan Oluç in our last stop Antalya prior to November 1 elections.

Both Kara and Oluç are of the opinion that there won't be a change in the outcome of the election which granted AKP five, CHP five, MHP three, and HDP one deputies.

Oluç: We have no ties with PKK

"I don't expect a very different result than June 7 elections. Our voters don't consist of Kurds only. We are trying to get in touch with every segment of the society. We are explaining struggle methods for democratic society
to people.

"We meet with PKK to achieve peace"

"There is a 30-year-long war and PKK is one of the parties here, then that party also must be talked to and that is what we are doing.

"However we don't any organic or inorganic bonds with PKK. This is totally Tayyip Erdoğan's rubbish. Peace doesn't come by laws. We can meet with any party struggling for peace instead of feeding on blood.

"We are the party that really represents whole Turkey, there is even no need to explain it. All languages and cultures of Turkey are all together in here.

"Kurdish question is our top subject before this election because as of June 7, almost 700 people died and nothing can be achieved without maintaining peace."

Issues of Antalya

"Tourism income dropped to $5 billion this year. This doesn't affect tourism establishments only but affects almost every sectors.

"In addition to decrease in number of tourists, agriculture laborers have serious issues, a severe ecocide is happening. Hydroelectric power plants and quarries have very bad impact on ecology.

"Local administrations should be strengthened, not central. When the administration wants to perform an action in a district, it needs Ankara's permission. Our goal is to make people in local contribute more to democracy by distributing powers of central administration. However Tayyip Erdoğan wants to gather all power in center to be the only voice."

Kara: AKP abuses poverty

"There is a cliche that politicians should be in touch with people. Nevertheless, people don't want to be in touch with politicians, they want to be free.

"AKP uses its political power in the election period. It provides food aid, and abuses poverty by promising people to employ their children if they vote AKP. On the other hand, they seriously exploit religion, banish the imams who don't serve them

"In order to put tourism on the right track, peace must be established in Turkey. Incentives should be given and more emphasis should be put on nature, history and health tourism.

"The tourism minister hasn't come once to Antalya, which is one of the most important touristic cities. He is globetrotting with the president.

"In local, of course governor and district governor should come to post by election, indeed local administrations must be strengthened. However, central should preserve its power. If every region lives by its rules, then for instance, what will be the rights of a person with a different life style living in a conservative-religious region?

"Education, health, and security should be provided equally to every region by the central administration." (EK/TK)

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