The upcoming elections will mark the most important turning point in Turkey’s history in the last century. The Republic of Turkey, founded following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, is marking its centennial year. There will be an election on 14 May and a new administration will come to rule the country. This new administration will shape Turkey's second century. The historical question that arises then is what will Turkey's second century be like? Or which values and principles will shape it? Will the fascist, colonial, genocidal mentality and politics shape it like the first century? Or will the country see a democratic change and transformation concerning Kurdish and women's freedom? The 14 May elections will answer these questions.

When we look at history, Turkey's first century had its ups and downs. The country went through various periods in terms of different areas of life. Its history was shaped by various political administrations, economic structures, new constitutions, and international relations. Some divided the century into the first and second republics. But despite all these categorizations, the essence of the matter, namely the mentality and policies that steered the republic, did not change. The century-old republic has always pursued an anti-Kurdish, fascist-colonial-genocidal mentality and policy. For this reason, Turkey has never been democratic despite its transition to political pluralism in the 1950’s. It has always remained a fascist and military dictatorship. It was mainly ruled by one person and one party.

In the last century, except for some privileged people, the political system subjected the Kurdish, Armenian, Greek and Assyrian peoples to genocide and oppressed women, workers and laborers. It has caused pain and distress for everyone, including those who run the state. This is clearly seen when you look at those who ruled the state from the beginning, including Mustafa Kemal, İsmet İnönü, Menderes and Bayar, Demirel and Ecevit, Özal, Erbakan, Kenan Evren, Çevik Bir, İlker Başbuğ and Yaşar Büyükanıt. This aspect reveals what the republic really is.

In its first century, the republic did not only oppress, exploit and repress the Kurds, the Alevis, women, workers and laborers, and other peoples, but also those who governed suffered pain and torture. So, can such a state and administrative system be defended? Can it be said that the same system should continue as it has been? Can it be said that the same mentality and politics should be maintained as they have been? Clearly, these questions will be answered negatively. However, the AKP-MHP fascist alliance, the "People's Alliance" formed by them, and the other parties such as New Welfare, Hüda-Par, BBP, DSP, which joined this alliance, responded positively and maintained this system in its current form. They envisage that the second century, which they define as the "Turkish Century", will be shaped by hatred towards the Kurds, the Alevis, women and workers. They are in favour of continuing the present catastrophe by deepening it.

There is also the "Nation Alliance", which prepares for the elections under the umbrella of the main opposition party, the CHP. Former CHP member Mustafa Sarıgül supports this alliance. They criticize the so-called 'Presidential System' introduced by the AKP-MHP fascism and they promise a return to the former system, as it was five years ago. In other words, they just want to restore the current system based on the previous system. But will such a restoration change the republic that 'devours its own children'? Can a restoration turn Turkey's second century into a century of democracy and liberties? It is obvious that they cannot do these things and cannot essentially replace the mentality and policies of the last century. So, they too cannot remove the current catastrophe and cannot turn the second century into a century of freedom and democracy.

The third option is the "Labour and Freedom Alliance", which prepares for the elections under the umbrella of the "Green Left Party". This alliance seeks to change the mentality and policies that dominated the first century. In other words, it envisages replacing the hatred towards the Kurds, the Alevis, women and worker-labourers by a free, democratic and brotherly life. It has a concrete program that favours inclusivity. They made this clear in the election manifestos they revealed to the public. In short, if the Labour and Freedom Alliance wins the election and implements its program, it will radically change the current system and make Turkey's second century a century of freedom and democracy.

But how will this happen? Can such a radical change be achieved just by winning an election? Can the 'Labour and Freedom Alliance' win the election? Can the AKP-MHP fascism be overthrown by elections? These questions have no clear and precise answers. In this respect, it is necessary not to overrate the "Labour and Freedom Alliance", not to think that everything can be achieved through elections, and not to regard the alliance of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu (the CHP leader) as omnipotent. But Erdoğan and Bahçeli’s dictatorship could be overthrown by the elections, and this is very important. Thus, a historical disaster - that is to say the continuation of the AKP-MHP government for another term - will be prevented. Turkey may enter the second century by paving the way for a democratic change.

This means that everything will not be resolved by the 14 May elections. However, the overthrow of the AKP-MHP fascist dictatorship on 14 May may pave the way to solutions. Of course, the continuation of the struggle for freedom and democracy based on proper tactics will do the rest. The democratic revolution would be permanent and continue with the right struggle. This is a task that revolutionary socialists will pursue uninterruptedly.

Therefore, two things are important in the 14 May elections: The first is to overthrow the AKP-MHP fascism, and the second is a strong representation by the Green Left Party, which is the main party of the Labour and Freedom Alliance, in Parliament. The candidates of the Green Left Party are prominent politicians who have the knowledge and experience that will shape the second century with freedom and democracy. Hence, it is the Green Left Party that will shape the new century in the right way. The Green Left Party is a key party for the new Turkey. For this reason, the revolutionary intellectuals who discuss the current circumstances use the slogan "the only way out is the Green Left Party". In order to move forward on the right path, everyone must work for the Green Left Party and contribute to its election victory, because it will pave the way for the revolution. This is the most urgent revolutionary and democratic attitude and duty under the current circumstances.