Atatürk's Legacy Under Threat: The CHP's Core Principles

The article argues that the ultimate target is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his foundational legacy, particularly the intertwined existence of the Republic of Turkey and the Republican People's Party (CHP). It emphasizes that the CHP, born from the struggle for independence, cannot be viewed separately from the Republic it helped establish. The author highlights that the party's origins are rooted in a fight against imperialism, not a mere administrative filing, making it a unique political entity globally.

A significant portion of the article criticizes the current state of the CHP, suggesting that a large number of its members fail to grasp the importance of the party's "six arrows", republicanism, populism, statism, secularism, nationalism, and revolutionism. The author contends that these principles are fundamental to social democracy and democratic socialism, yet their significance is often overlooked. This lack of understanding is partly attributed to the neglect of internal party education since the CHP's reopening in 1992 and subsequent poor management.

The piece draws a stark contrast between the "old and obsolete" ideologies like monarchy, oligarchy, and theocracy, and the "new and dynamic" principles embodied by the "six arrows." These principles are presented as the infrastructure and prerequisites for democracy and popular sovereignty. The author criticizes attempts to establish a "NEW Party" by adopting a similar name and logo, arguing that this approach, akin to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's failed "New CHP" initiative, will not lead to progress. The article concludes that such efforts, whether from former CHP members or external influences, aim to bury the CHP in history, failing to recognize the enduring value of Atatürk's vision in the 21st century.