25.02.2026 13:56
The leader of the DEVA Party, Ali Babacan, stated that they find the expressions regarding the termination of trustee practices in the commission report valuable and that this should be supported by concrete legal guarantees. Babacan said, "If you talk about freedom on one hand and continue to use the judiciary as a tool of persuasion on the other, you cannot convince people of this process. If you want to solve the issue at its root, remove the judiciary from the shadow of politics."
DEVA Party's Chairman Ali Babacan made statements regarding the agenda at the TBMM Group Meeting of the New Path Group. Babacan began his speech by expressing condolences to the family of Major İbrahim Bolat, the pilot who was martyred in the F-16 aircraft that crashed in Balıkesir. Criticizing the government on many issues from the appointment of trustees to the Constitutional Court decisions, from the "Casper" investigation to Gaza and youth unemployment, Babacan stated, "We will continue to say wrong is wrong, and right is right."
Regarding the "Terror-free Turkey" process, Babacan recalled that at the beginning of the process they said, "Peace is better than war, dialogue is better than conflict," and stated that they would continue to contribute to the process. Babacan emphasized that while the cessation of arms is important, it is not sufficient on its own, saying, "Permanent peace is possible with justice, with the rule of law, and with the guarantee of fundamental rights and freedoms."
"REMOVE THE JUDICIARY FROM THE SHADOW OF POLITICS" Babacan expressed that they find the statements regarding the termination of trustee practices in the commission report valuable, emphasizing that this should be supported by concrete legal guarantees, and added:
"In a system where politics intervenes in the judiciary and decisions are effectively rendered ineffective, what rule of law can you speak of? Unfortunately, we do not see the goodwill that dominates the generality of the report in the practices and actions of the government. In a legal system that cannot separate criticism from crime, you cannot talk about freedom of expression. If you talk about freedom on one hand and continue to use the judiciary as a tool of persuasion on the other, you cannot convince people of this process. Do you want to solve the issue at its root? The necessary actions are very clear; remove the judiciary from the shadow of politics. Do not restrict freedoms with arbitrary decisions. Strengthen democracy. Bind fundamental rights and freedoms to solid guarantees. Remember, where there is justice, there is trust; where there is trust, there is peace; where there is peace, permanent peace is also possible. Otherwise, more commissions will be established, reports will be prepared. But no results will be achieved.
"THE ASSEMBLY AND THE JUDICIARY HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY UNDER DOMINATION" I want to draw your attention to the fact that there is a great absurdity. The total number of deputies of the political parties that signed this report is not even enough to make laws, let alone change the Constitution; there are more than 400 deputies in these political parties. However, the report is filled with recommendations for some. Let us not forget; the authority to make the constitution and laws belongs to the Assembly. If the political parties that prepared this report are truly behind their words, let us all together fulfill the requirements written in the report under the roof of this esteemed Assembly. But everyone knows that no matter what report you write, no matter what law you pass, it ultimately comes back to the implementers. The executive power, which manages and directs all those implementers, is the President. Today, in our country, the executive power, the legislative body of the Assembly, and the judiciary have been completely dominated. If someone says, 'No, that's not the case, there is a separation of powers in the country,' then come on, let's see, let’s fulfill the requirements of the report. Why is it not working? Why can't the Assembly take a step? Here are the commissions, here is the General Assembly. If the Assembly wanted to, could it not do these things if it could show an independent will?
"CAN THE ASSEMBLY NOT FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ŞERAFETTİN CAN ATALAY DECISION? IT CAN" For example, can the Assembly not fulfill the requirements of the Şerafettin Can Atalay decision? It can do it today. Can the Minister of Interior not immediately withdraw the trustees? It can do it today. Can the Minister of Justice not turn to the judiciary and say, 'Comply with the upper court decisions, comply with the Constitutional Court decisions, friends'? It can. So, are these things happening? They are not. Because a single person has locked the entire system. For the things written in this report to happen, the government needs to show a sincere will. However, there is no sign of this will yet. Despite everything, I want to clearly state that we are where we were yesterday. We did not just learn about the government's situation; we are very well aware of it. Nevertheless, we will continue to fulfill our historical responsibility, our moral and conscientious responsibility. We will also continue to contribute to the process. However, we will not neglect to say wrong is wrong, and right is right. Because we will never give up on peace, justice, and democracy."
"THE 'CASPER' INVESTIGATION IS AN INSTITUTIONAL SECURITY WEAKNESS" Babacan also addressed the armed criminal organization investigation named "Casper," which has been reflected in the public eye, recalling that individuals, including public officials, have been arrested. He stated that it is a serious issue for a criminal organization to be in contact with public officials, saying, "There is not only individual corruption here; there is an institutional security weakness." Babacan emphasized that the investigation should be conducted transparently, stating, "The truth must be revealed, no matter where it leads."
GAZA MESSAGE Babacan referred to the attacks in Gaza that have been ongoing for two years, stating, "More than 70,000 people have lost their lives. It is complete barbarism, a total crime against humanity." He expressed that a ceasefire should not mean that the crimes committed go unpunished, calling for continued international pressure on the Israeli government.
Referring to TÜİK data, Babacan stated that 6.5 million young people aged 15-34 are neither in education nor employment. "The rate is 27%. The highest level in the last four years," said Babacan, drawing attention to the fact that young people can fall into the trap of criminal organizations and illegal structures due to hopelessness. "The state must provide equal opportunities for young people," said Babacan, noting that a country that loses its youth will lose its direction.
"THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE PARTY HAS DISAPPEARED" Criticizing the President's appearance with a poster during the iftar visit of the Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, Babacan stated, "It represents an understanding that does not separate the state from the party and turns the public into a personal showcase."
Babacan concluded his speech with the words, "This country rises not with showiness, but with justice. This country strengthens not with propaganda, but with trust. We are here to restore the damaged trust, to revive the eroded values, and to make the state once again the state of the nation."