Prime Minister Erdoğan and Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kılıçdaroğlu met for an hour and a half yesterday and reached a consensus on a national strategy against separatist terrorism.
The long awaited meeting between Prime Minister Erdoğan and main opposition party leader Kılıçdaroğlu to discuss ‘terrorism and the prevention of’ took place yesterday. The meeting with CHP marked the end of Erdoğan’s series of meetings with oppositional party leaders which included those from DSP, BBP and SP.
The meeting took place in Kılıçdaroğlu’s office in the assembly. Erdoğan was joined by Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Çiçek, Minister of the Interior Beşir Atalay and Public Order and Security Undersecretary Muammer Güler. Kılıçdaroğlu was accompanied by CHP General Secretary Önder Sav, Group Chief Deputy Kemal Anadol and Vice-chairman Hakkı Süha Okay. Greeting Prime Minister Erdoğan, Kılıçdaroğlu was visibly excited for the meeting.
Kılıçdaroğlu started off the meeting by requesting the election threshold be brought to 7% and explained the reasons behind his request. Erdoğan responded immediately by stating; “We are not in favor of this. There was no stability during the coalition era, there were problems running the nation. We must have the election threshold to ensure stability.
KILIÇDAROĞLU’S FIVE REQUESTS
In addition to discussing terrorism, Kılıçdaroğlu did make five requests from the state leader.
* Election threshold dropped.
* Special Authority Courts eradicated.
* The state should invest in the region.
* Husbandry should be supported; the Meat-Fish Association should be strengthened.
* After mines have been cleaned from land, the land should be given to villagers that are not property owners.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Erdoğan and main opposition Republican People’s Party leader Kılıçdaroğlu reached a consensus regarding terrorism being an issue that needs to be handled in a manner which surpasses party divisions.
Kılıçdaroğlu stated; “We will support the government’s healthy and consistent steps to prevent terrorism. And we would be very pleased to provide any support needed”.
While Kılıçdaroğlu emphasized support for healthy steps taken by the government, Prime Minister Erdoğan expressed the benefit of reaching a consensus with the opposition.
A NEW ROADMAP
Kılıçdaroğlu expressed that after Erdoğan completes his series of meetings with oppositional party leaders, a new roadmap will be established to battle terrorism. Meanwhile, Erdoğan stated that he may meet with oppositional party leaders again in order to create a common mindset
SPECIAL FORCES WERE DISCUSSED
Erdoğan expressed that the decision has not yet been reached whether the Special Forces, which will be established to combat terrorism, will be from within or outside of the military. Prime Minister Erdoğan also announced plans to release information regarding the series of meetings held with the opposition during the AK Party Group meeting later today.
