The CHP must be clear

What's left in Turkey to make Turks with a democratic mindset believe that growing authoritarianism in the country is a seasonal phenomenon and that tomorrow will be a bright day for Turkish democracy? Unfortunately, not much.

A statement by the Turkish Bar Association has been turned into some kind of devil to be stoned. A long-awaited yet shy complaint from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) that the authoritarian and anti-democratic nature of the post-July 15 "rule by decree" period was indeed an effort to derail Turkish democracy into a dictatorship landed it in court. The almighty, vengeful, always deceived but never regretful tall, bald, bold and ever-angry sole owner of power spared no effort, ordering his army of lawyers to bring the main opposition party into line. The lawyers immediately filed a criminal complaint against CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the CHP for uttering a "heavy insult" against the president.

The bar association has not yet received a criminal case warrant, but it is probably in the pipeline because violating the "Yenikapı spirit" cannot be tolerated by the extravagant palace under any condition. What was the "Yenikapı spirit?" Was it a non-alcoholic, new national drink like ayran? Definitely not. It was a "hush hush" dictum that derived its name from a massive rally organized by the "president's men" with all the parties except the Kurds in the aftermath of the failed July 15 coup to demonstrate to friend and foe alike that the president enjoyed full support from all sections of Turkish society. Thus, criticizing the president was an act that spoiled that sacrosanct spirit that was greatly needed to usher in a Turkish-style presidential system.

What is a Turkish-style presidential system?...