Crowds are important in politics. People filling the squares show the expectation and desire for change in society. However, our political history has repeatedly shown us that crowds alone do not guarantee success.
Muharrem İnce also held big rallies for a while. The squares were full, the enthusiasm was high, people were hopeful. A new party was founded under the influence of that atmosphere. But politics is not only about the squares. There is the ballot box, the organization, the staff, the program and most importantly the long-term strategy. As a result, today we all see that the Hometown Party has failed to have the expected impact in politics.
The case of Mustafa Sarıgül is no different. Although he is one of the most recognized political figures in Turkey, the parties he founded did not find the expected response. Because in politics, applause and votes, crowds and organization, excitement and sustainable success are not the same thing.
Today we see that some circles are trying to draw political conclusions from the magic of a rally or a square. However, what needs to be done is much simpler: Keep a cool head and make a realistic assessment.
First look at past performance. Strengths and weaknesses are identified. Mistakes are sincerely acknowledged. Then a SWOT analysis is conducted to assess opportunities and threats. Success in politics is the product of reason and strategy, not emotion.
Of course, it is not right to ignore the recent crowds. Filling the squares is important and sends a political message. However, it is also misleading to calculate the future only by looking at the crowds. If politics were determined only by the number of people in the squares, Muharrem İnce and Mustafa Sarıgül would be in a very different political position today.
Therefore, the main issue in politics is not the size of the crowd, but how much of that crowd is reflected in the ballot box. Squares create excitement, but what wins elections is organization, trust, staff and the right strategy.
History has shown us this many times. And it will probably continue to do so.
May 30, 2026
Nurhan