I had conversations over tea with great people who are older than me.
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| Photo Mehmet Teke on Pexels |
On August 29, 2026, we met up with MR. Nihat, a retired soldier, and MR. Tuğrul, a retired teacher, for a pleasant conversation. Over sips of tea, we discussed Türkiye's structural problems and possible solutions.
Having been a soldier, MR. Nihat had the opportunity to serve in various parts of Türkiye and is quite familiar with the country's diverse human cultures. MR. Tuğrul, as a former teacher, has educated thousands of students across many regions of Türkiye and is an experienced educator who has been immersed in different cultures.
MR. Nihat conducts research on philosophy and Turkic languages, and is also writing a thesis on a particular subject. On this occasion, he shared some of his research with me. He is a highly accomplished, very kind, and intellectual individual, shaped by the Republic's educational system. He is a remarkably knowledgeable and highly skilled person. Likewise, MR. Tuğrul is one of the enlightened individuals shaped by the Republic. His former students have gone on to carry out internationally recognized work and have represented Türkiye abroad. For a teacher, this is a tremendous source of pride and honor. On behalf of my country, meeting such valuable people and exchanging ideas with them made me very happy. I once again saw that we need enlightened and intellectual individuals to overcome this dark period Türkiye is going through. We are facing a government that is dragging Türkiye into the quagmire of the Middle East, shaking the fundamental values of the Republic, and disregarding our core values. This government is doing great harm to our country and spending the money of future generations on interest lobbies.
Turkish society needs to be analyzed carefully. The greatest weakness of our society has been 'religion' and politicians have managed to bring certain segments under their influence by engaging in religious peddling. However, it would be very wrong to say that these politicians are pious; they merely use religion as a tool.
The wrongdoings of the government and the deep economic poverty into which it has plunged our country have sparked a awakening of consciousness in society, and the public has now begun to think. Societies that think and question do not become puppets of politicians, because they constantly research and scrutinize what is being done. Under normal circumstances, the general elections planned for 2028 will likely be held in 2027, because the government needs an early election; otherwise, the current President cannot run for reelection. In the general election, which seems likely to take place in 2027, society will make its decision, but this time I believe the public will deal a heavy blow to the government. Because in the previous local elections, society enabled the main opposition party to win many municipalities that had been held by the ruling party, sending a strong message to the government. However, the ruling party, using state power, carried out dawn raids on the mayors elected by the people, forcibly taking them from their homes by police and arresting them after the detention process.
In the history of the Republic of Türkiye, there have been many poor administrations, but never before has there been a government that has wielded state power so recklessly.
Society is remaining silent for now, but when the ballot boxes are set up in the general election, the test for the government will begin. Society will give the government a great lesson and will authorize a new administration to make them pay for what they have done. I believe that the biggest corruption trials in the history of the Republic of Türkiye will be seen, because the government has become entangled in corruption on an incredible scale and has stolen the state's money. I believe that these deeds must not go unpunished and that one day the price must certainly be paid, because society harbors a tremendous anger toward the current government and demands that they be brought to justice.
Knowing that it cannot win the general election under the current circumstances, the ruling government has tried to reduce the opposition's vote share by splitting its votes, but it has not succeeded, because society will give its vote to the party most likely to defeat the government. The '50+1' electoral system currently in place in Türkiye will likely be changed again by the hands of the current government, because under these conditions it does not seem likely to receive 50% of the votes.
Anyway, to return to where we started, MR. Nihat and MR. Tuğrul gave me a new vision and sparked new ideas in my mind. I have gained new perspectives for our program called 'Körfez Masası' (Table of the Körfez), which we broadcast on YouTube, and I have already started working on new projects. I will announce my new projects as soon as possible. So far, we have shot four episodes, and we will soon be with you with Episode 5. Türkiye needs enlightened people more than ever, and this society will never forgive those who are hostile to it.