Liberal Party Spokesperson Engin Avcı: The End of Populism or the Resurgence of Liberal Democracy?

The political winds are changing direction around the world. Hope is beginning to overcome fear and hatred!

The losses suffered by Donald Trump and the Republicans in the US midterm elections should not be viewed merely as an electoral outcome. These results are among the significant signs of growing public opposition to populism, polarization, and hate speech fueled by identity politics.

People no longer want to be governed through fear, divided along identity lines, or forced to live in a political climate where hostility is constantly being manufactured.

In recent years, authoritarian populism, which has gained momentum in many countries around the world, has seriously eroded the fundamental values of liberal democracy. The rule of law, separation of powers, individual freedoms, and democratic institutions have come under pressure from populist political practices.

However, political developments emerging in different countries today demonstrate that this course is not inevitable. We are seeing encouraging signs that liberal democracy, the rule of law, freedoms, and accountable governance may once again gain strength.

I believe we are also beginning to witness the first signs of this wave of change in Türkiye.

In recent years, a significant portion of society had been unable to mount a sufficiently strong collective response to violations of the law, injustices, and allegations of corruption. Political polarization prevented people from standing together even on the most fundamental moral and legal issues.

However, the recent fund embezzlement scandal has become a striking example in this regard.

It was expected that this incident, too, would be discussed for three days and then forgotten, with public attention quickly redirected toward other issues.

But this time, things did not unfold as expected.

Objections began to emerge even from within the ruling parties. People from different political backgrounds started expressing a common reaction to what had happened.

Demands for justice, honesty, transparency, and accountability are being voiced more loudly across broad segments of society.

These developments point to the possibility of a renewed commitment to a shared understanding of law and morality that transcends political affiliations.

Because corruption, unlawful conduct, and the abuse of public power have no political identity. Standing against them is not merely the responsibility of the opposition; it is the duty of everyone who is honest and guided by conscience.

When people in a society begin to challenge the wrongdoing of those who share their own political views, it means that the hopes for genuine democratic change have begun to take root.

This is precisely what Türkiye needs.

An approach that divides people according to their identities, beliefs, and political preferences, and produces politics through fear, anger, and hostility, must give way to a system of governance that puts individuals first, safeguards freedoms, and upholds the rule of law and meritocracy.

Democracy is not limited to the ballot box. Democracy means placing legal limits on government power, ensuring public authority is subject to oversight, protecting individual rights and freedoms, and guaranteeing equality before the law for everyone.

Following the democratic backsliding of the past decade, the possibility of liberal democratic values gaining momentum around the world once again represents an important source of hope for Türkiye as well.

Of course, a single election result or one instance of public reaction is not enough to demonstrate that a profound political transformation has taken place. However, major changes often begin with small but meaningful acts of public dissent.

Hopefully, before long, we too will be able to say:

“Hope has defeated hatred!”

“Honest and decent people have defeated the corrupt!”

“Liberal democracy has defeated authoritarian populism!”

Because no political government lasts forever. No system built on fear is permanent. Sooner or later, societies’ demands for freedom, justice, and a dignified life find their political expression.

Winds of change are blowing around the world. I hope these winds will also pave the way for the renewed rise of freedom, justice, meritocracy, and liberal democracy in Türkiye.

@Liberalparti_TR