The Table of Six’s crisis of leadership

The Table of Six quickly failed to live up to its own claim about running the country using a metaphor of an automobile with six drivers. The addition of two more mayors made the metaphor obsolete, and this indicated that the situation was not mere political opposition, but a genuine reality.

It is clear that this metaphor, produced by the public, signals beyond having multiple leaders that in the final analysis, the relativity of the ordering based on existing vote rates and deputy numbers, and in this respect, for starters, the table itself lacks a leader.

The table’s big partner, and its presidential candidate, Republican People’s Party (CHP) chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, is being held subject to the control of two municipality mayors – by the force of another party on the table – even though they were elected mayor from his own party.

While Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who initially founded the table solely to have his candidacy accepted and supported, is forced to overcome the problem that his partners do not see him as a leader likely to win by accepting this control, he is also giving into a reality that is expressed through the Turkish saying, “The tail is taking control over the dog.”

The same person acting within the obligation of fulfilling both inside and outside demands, and hence lacking his own management plan, also confirms the reality that he does not have what it takes to be a leader.

In other words, someone who promises to withdraw from Syria, end presence in Libya in accordance with U.S. demand, cease gas explorations in the East Mediterranean in accordance with Greece’s demand, put on the shelf infrastructure investments and major projects like Istanbul Canal, disable Istanbul Airport in accordance with Germany’s demand, and beyond all this, protect, in accordance with EU demands, a party that is the political face of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorist organization, needs to be identified not with leadership but another and extremely negative term.

Meanwhile, the greatness of the second main partner of the table, Good Party (İP) leader Merak Akşener is no longer mentioned. She lost her title as iron-fisted chair within 72 hours, and her vote rate, which showed about 15 percent in the polls, plummeted.

Akşener quickly leaving the table claiming that she is no gambler or notary, and returning at the same speed – disregarding both purposes she refuted – automatically negates any good references regarding her leadership.

Returning to the table most likely after being scolded by the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) or the U.S., assuming due to politics the corrupt characteristics, the shiftiness attributed to her by CHP members, is interpreted by all not as İP Chair Akşener’s victimization, but on the contrary as her incompetence and spinelessness.

Furthermore, Akşener calling to the election sphere two CHP mayors against their own party leader, the CHP’s presidential candidate, is shown as proof of the scolding she faced, and the lack of principle in her return to the table, not to a gain of strength among her partners.

Considering the leaders of the four parties in terms of leadership, they clearly did not emerge based primarily on the need for leadership.

Neither one of the four leaders lean on the need for a leader, or more generally, a democratic pursuit. They are on the political stage out of their hostility, jealousy, and uncontrollable ambition against the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and its leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

All six of them are competing among themselves to imitate President Erdoğan in the best way possible, thinking they will be considered a leader only when they are as determined, persevering, and talented as him.

One typical example of this is the main opposition party leader recently ridiculing himself by attempting to recite poetry in efforts to show he is eloquent like Erdoğan.

Another vivid example in memories is the time Kılıçdaroğlu became carried away thinking he too could have an iron fist like President Erdoğan when needed, but then licked his master’s boots with the guilt of a cat that spilled its milk.

This being the case, it becomes clear that the eight-driver table of six’s main crisis among fighting for leadership, stealing votes from one another, and many other new ones that can erupt any moment, is the lack of a leader.