21 May Elections: Western Thrace Turks going to the polls...
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While the party leaders are travelling across the country, the candidates in the provinces are trying to explain themselves by meeting with the citizens with great excitement. Greece is experiencing an intense and active election period in which almost all restrictions have been lifted after Covid.
It is a matter of curiosity in which direction the citizens will use their preferences after a difficult period. The NDP government is subject to criticism from the opposition on many issues with Covid and its subsequent practices. The main opposition leader Tsipras, contrary to the published surveys, clearly speaks confidently that they will be the winner of the elections.
Western Thrace Turks will also go to the polls on 21 May and will vote by evaluating many criteria. The voters of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, who have emigrated to European countries due to economic difficulties and have to face many different problems arising from this, will of course take all these into consideration when going to the polls.
THE "LEGENDARY" APPROACH OF THE GOVERNMENT REGARDING THE TURKISH MINORITY
During his visit to Xanthi, Prime Minister Mitsotakis made references to Türkiye as many Greek politicians do in order to maintain the votes of the right-wing in the region. However, rather than this, the expressions used by Mitsotakis against the minority and minority rights drew more attention. Prime Minister Mitsotakis, who almost mocked the rights and laws of Western Thrace Turks and labelled the issues related to the minority rights of Western Thrace Turks as "legendary", used the term "citizens who have become a tool for other purposes" referring to those who speak about Turkish minority rights. Prime Minister Mitsotakis tacitly said to the Turks of Western Thrace: "Sit down, do not believe in 'minority rights', do not be an instrument for others" and thus blocked the expectations of the Turks of Western Thrace for minority rights.
OPPOSITION PARTIES' VIEW OF THE TURKISH MINORITY
While this is happening on the Prime Minister's side, it is not possible to say that we have seen a positive approach, a clear and clear discourse from the other parties towards the rights and law of the Western Thrace Turks. Because, especially in the pre-election period, it is not possible to say that there is a politician and mentality that can put forward bold discourses on the axis of Turkish Minority rights and law in Greece.
Taking all these into consideration, the voters of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace will cast their votes to elect at least the members of the Turkish Minority who are candidates from the parties to the Greek parliament. The Turkish Minority voters will, of course, evaluate the political conjuncture and economic developments of the country while going to the polls.
SENSITIVITIES OF THE TURKISH MINORITY
However, the Turkish minority voters should show sensitivity to one issue as always. This issue is to elect MPs from Xanthi and Komotini by making the right choices among the Turkish candidates in the parties.
In recent years, it would be appropriate to add some criteria to the pre-election activities in order not to be left without a representative, which is identified with the slogan "Turkish vote for the Turkish". Yes, Western Thrace Turkish Minority voters should vote for Turkish candidates in the parties. However, this is not enough. Which candidate will represent us more duly, which candidate will deal more with the problems of the community, which candidate will exhibit clearer attitudes at the point of our unity and solidarity? Also, from which party is it more possible for us to elect an MP? It is necessary to take all these into consideration.
On the other hand, some voters may think more personally. Thoughts and approaches such as "so-and-so candidate took care of my personal business", another one "my father made it easier for me while building a house", another one "my grandfather is in favour, will he harm me if I don't vote for him?", "will he understand if I don't vote for so-and-so brother?" are thoughts and approaches that are incompatible with democracy and free will and are traps used to leave Western Thrace Turks without representatives.
BEWARE OF INTRIGUE, THREATS, BLACKMAIL, AND TRAPS!
As the voters of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, when going to the ballot box, first of all, we must put aside those who want to impede our free will through various intrigues, threats, blackmail, pretences and various traps. Personal interests and personal interests should not come before social interests and our unity and solidarity. Of course, we cannot openly declare here that "vote for these names, only these can be elected", but we should endeavour to choose the best for us among the good candidates in terms of our unity and solidarity and our community interests.
"MECHANISM" - "DEEP STATE" - "UNCHANGING MENTALITY"
Now you will ask "Which one is the best?" While answering this question, let us state this very clearly. In today's political conditions of Greece, no party will or can realise the demands of the Western Thrace Turks for minority rights. Because the "national politics" or "deep state" mechanism of Greece does not allow this. As long as the mentality of this mechanism does not change in Greece, it is a dream to have great expectations from our deputies that we will elect to the parliament today for the solution of our Turkish minority rights. However, of course, they will follow them and at least they will be the sign of the existence of the Turkish Minority and represent it. Even if they cannot eliminate a negative situation, preventing a new one can also be considered as a good deed. It is a reflection of our belief that preventing evil is also good.
So, what should we consider when going to the polls? First of all, we will be smart. It is clear which of our candidates from which party will be elected more easily. This is the technical aspect. We will also look at this: Which of these candidates can represent us? Which of them has always stood by us on social issues? Which of them has taken a more upright stance on minority issues? Which one is with us in the socio-cultural activities of Western Thrace Turks and which one supports these activities more? In short, if the candidates who are at peace with the Muslim Turkish Community of Western Thrace, who prioritise the rights and law of the Turkish Minority, who have a certain level of representativeness and who have a certain vote potential are preferred by our community, we will have elected the best candidates to the Greek parliament.
Our society knows well which candidates stand where on social issues. Our people also understands who is trying to gain votes through threats, blackmail and various foot games. Our young people will not succumb to methods that have expired.
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
As we close, let us make some technical analysis for those who do not know. Let's not forget that in these elections "Apli analogueiki", i.e. the system of distribution of parliamentary seats according to vote rates, will be applied and the first party will not be given +50 parliamentary seats. For this reason, it does not seem possible for any party to come to power alone. If a coalition government cannot be formed, the country will go to the polls once again on 2 July. This time we will not choose the candidates. The parties will determine the candidates by list procedure and those who are selected as the top of the list in this election will lead the list. For this reason, we should vote for the candidates we want to see as MPs in Xanthi and Rhodope provinces enough to place them in the first place in their parties. Xanthi and Rhodope are the provinces that elect 3 deputies. The parties in the first three places in these provinces will most probably elect one MP each. It is also clear which parties will take the first 3 places in Xanthi and Rhodope. Which Turkish candidates from these 3 parties will be able to take the first place will also be determined by our votes.
As a result, the keen eye and broad common sense of the people of the Turkish Minority will reflect the right choice. The candidates are clear, the parties are clear, those who are with us are clear. Remember that no one is perfect. However, we owe it to ourselves to choose the best one for our community. Everyone will respect the result that will be manifested in the ballot box.
Within the framework of these evaluations, I wish the elections to be auspicious for our country and Western Thrace Turks.