The İYİ Party was the only party to vote as a bloc against the framework law on the Kurdish peace process. Its instincts on the nationalist right are already well known. But before turning to the party, it is worth dwelling for a moment on its chair. Let us begin with his name: Müsavat.
It is difficult to find anyone else in Turkey bearing that name. In somewhat archaic language, “müsavat” means “equality.” Indeed, in the Arabic-heavy Ottoman Turkish of the time, the French Revolution’s famous three-word motto — “liberty, equality, fraternity” — was rendered as “hürriyet, müsavat, uhuvvet.” Dervişoğlu says his father explained his choice by saying, “I gave my children names representing the values I believe Turkey needs.” That is the origin of the name Müsavat.
A LIFETIME IN POLITICS
Müsavat Dervişoğlu is in his mid-60s. But he has been actively involved in politics since he was barely more than a child. He is from the Black Sea region. He was with the MHP, known as the Grey Wolves until Meral Akşener and her allies rebelled against Devlet Bahçeli. Then came the İYİ Party. And when Akşener left, Dervişoğlu became its chair.
WITH BAHÇELİ AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE PEACE PROCESS
So what might the new course and road map be for Dervişoğlu and his party? The MHP, the principal home of nationalist politics, and its leader Bahçeli now stand at the forefront of the Kurdish peace process. It would therefore be insufficient to conclude that, by voting “no,” Dervişoğlu is merely targeting MHP voters. He may indeed have spotted an opening within the nationalist spectrum and may be seeking to claim its leadership. But there is more than that. The İYİ Party will not simply become a “new MHP.” Nor will it abandon centrist voters. The high number of “no” votes within Özgür Özel’s Yeni Party may offer a clue in this regard. Dervişoğlu and his party are also courting a broader constituency of the opposition. For now, Dervişoğlu is the parliamentary leader of the “no” camp. The course he charts from now on will also help shape the alliances formed for the next election.
