Politics in Turkey is often harsh, but rarely is it centered around such a naked truth: telling the truth comes at a price. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu stood out as a politician who was willing to pay this price. Because, contrary to the usual political language, he spoke without bending or twisting. He called the thief “thief” and the corrupt “corrupt”.
The problem in this country is not only the existence of corruption but also the silence against it. For years, politics has been turned into a means of covering up the truth, softening words and normalizing crimes. At this point, Kılıçdaroğlu's outburst was not an ordinary opposition reflex, but a call for morality. Because if politicians in a country cannot name the crime, the public's sense of justice atrophies over time.
Kılıçdaroğlu's biggest difference was that his strength did not come from shouting, but from insistently repeating the truth. He did not take the easy path of populism. He appealed to the conscience of the society instead of slogans that would make the crowds cheer. For this reason, he was sometimes criticized and sometimes found inadequate. But it is important to remember that in this country, honesty is often portrayed as “weakness”.
The opposite is the case. The greatest strength of a politician is his or her ability to stand independent of vested interests. For years, Kılıçdaroğlu, while voicing the rotten aspects of the system, actually represented not only a party but also the last remaining clean veins of society. His calls for a “make-up” were the efforts of a leader who knew that this society was tired of polarization.
Of course he had shortcomings. There is no one without mistakes in politics. But some people are judged by what they dare to say as much as what they do. And there are not many politicians in this country who have been so outspoken in their fight against corruption.
In conclusion, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was necessary for this country. Because sometimes what a country needs is not the strongest leader, but the person who tells the truth. And telling the truth is always the most difficult thing.