NEW PARTY IN GERMANY: CASE Engin Erkiner
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NEW PARTY IN GERMANY: DAVA A party called DAVA was founded in Germany by combining the initials of the words in its long name and was labelled in the press as the "Erdoğan party". The party naturally did not accept this claim. This initiative has a history, Ankara parties have been established and closed for about 25-30 years; it is not the first example. About half of the Turkish voters living outside the country, who are Turkish citizens, are in Germany. The AKP receives at least 50 per cent of the votes in every election in this country, except local elections in Turkey. It should be noted that AKP supporters are working much better than the CHP and DEM parties. Why shouldn't the AKP, which has a large supporter base in such an important country as Germany, set up an extension party and try to influence the country's politics from within? The Turkish state realised the importance of foreign countries, especially Germany, before the socialists and Kurds, let alone other parties. The structure of the organisation in Germany changed with Onur Öymen, who became ambassador in the 1990s. Consuls, whom no one knew before, started to appear at every event related to Turks, from football matches to art exhibitions. Ankara parties, which were founded, lived for a while and then closed down, were to follow. The coalition government in Germany passed a new citizenship law. According to this law, the obligation to choose one of the two citizenships, which was especially valid for Turkish citizens, will be abolished; those who are only Turkish citizens can become dual citizens by fulfilling certain conditions. With the law that will come into force in April, the new dual citizens will also be able to vote in German elections. The new party has no chance of getting votes from Germans - in this case Germans without a migrant background. Erdoğan's image in German society is extremely negative. He reminded Germans of Hitler some time ago. Germany is not Turkey. When a head of state speaks ill of Germans, there are consequences. Erdoğan cannot campaign in Germany. The relevant law has been changed and In Germany, campaigning in connection with elections in another country is subject to a licence. When he visited Berlin a few months ago, he was not allowed to hold mass meetings with his supporters. Until a few years ago, Erdogan had been subjected to insulting behaviour in Germany. people who used to use such expressions would be taken to court. As the number increased, the relevant law was amended and it became more difficult to prosecute those who insult a foreign head of state. When these people travel to Turkey for one reason or another, they are detained at the border and prosecuted, even if they are German citizens. The German government constantly warns people in this situation. You can be punished in Turkey for a statement that is not a criminal offence under German law, beware! There are also German citizens in Turkish prisons. I don't expect the new party to be very effective, but they are trying to increase their chances due to the new citizenship law. They expect to be more successful this time. They have no chance in the general election. Not in the state elections either. It would be a success if they can get representatives to the city parliament in some settlements in the local elections. This is the first thing they will endeavour to achieve. It must be emphasised: Turkish and Kurdish political work in Germany more active than the opposition. In almost every party in Germany there are many Turks and a few Kurds, mostly German citizens, both as members and in various positions of responsibility. It would be a success for the new party to find spokespersons among them to defend itself. In the past, there have been a few such supporters of the Ankara parties. They were expelled or isolated from their parties. Taking this experience into account, it can be said that the new party will act more cautiously.
