The virus has brought it to the same point: the state

We have to start from the first page of the alphabet book: the way to get rid of epidemics with as little damage as possible depends on the independent and coordinated work of government agencies within the law. Continuing with the alphabet, government agencies must have the power to make independent decisions within the framework of the constitution and laws, so that problems can be resolved quickly.

The 1789 French Revolution defined the essence of the concept of "modern state", which emerged after the feudal monarchies.

In the XXI century, local self-government bodies, trade unions, NGOs, and the media, together with the state's executive bodies, have become an "absolute must" condition for solving problems.

Turkey is trying to fight the virus epidemic, leaving out trade unions, NGOs, and the media.

In the chain of events led by the President, Mr. Erdoğan seems to prefer the decisions of “the Science Council”; the Minister of Health is trying to take action independently (8,000 doctors and health professionals have been hired these days); it does not seem possible to interfere in the work of municipalities (still in the current situation). When it comes to human destiny, the government does not want to interfere with the municipalities run by opposition parties. Because we are even talking about the problem of the world, not the country.

The Istanbul Municipality announced another concrete decision on March 25: financial support for public transport on the municipality's own balance will be also provided to private bus companies, which have a significant share in urban transport. According to Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor's office will pay the salaries and fuel of private bus drivers. It is natural that local self-government bodies, which are the address of direct contact with the people every day, try to take every step within their capabilities. Because at the latest in the first election, they will see the return either positively or negatively (if it does not satisfy the citizens). From this point of view, it is in the interests of citizens that municipalities make operative decisions. Because no matter how agile, the decisions of the central government are delayed compared to the municipalities.

Just as the Turkish central government did not consider it necessary to study the views of opposition parties in the fight against the virus, the proposals of some trade unions defending workers were not taken into account too. The Turkish Medical Association, one of the country's largest NGOs, was also "not needed" by the central government - apparently in some cases because of its opposition to government policies. The main concern of the media, which has long been known as "supporters", is that the central government, especially President Erdoğan, has not been harmed. Therefore, the issues it covers are more than "the fight against the virus", "the successful continuation of everything under the control of the President."

But what has Turkey gained by keeping the political opposition, trade unions, and professional NGOs away from the process of fighting the virus? From the point of view of the government's political ambitions, what did it gain and what did it lose to the opposition? Municipalities run by the opposition rated their parties just as they did not allow the central government to pay political dividends. Trade unions, which defended workers' rights, have again strengthened their position by defending workers' rights. It was already clear that professional NGOs would not lose anything from the government's political approach to this issue, but would gain.

So, in terms of these four factors, let’s evaluate the fight against the virus in the country of which we are citizens: political opposition, trade unions, NGOs, and the media. Moreover, let’s remember the municipal elections held 2.5 months ago. May your trade unions and media be yours...