site.btaDogan Praises "Unifying Patriotism", Borissov Sees Statement as "Opening Door" for MRF Coalition with Nationalist Parties

Dogan Praises "Unifying Patriotism", Borissov Sees Statement as "Opening Door" for MRF Coalition with Nationalist Parties

Sofia, March 17 (BTA) - In a "political message" published on his party's website Thursday evening, Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Honorary Chairman Ahmed Dogan praised what he called "unifying patriotism" in Bulgaria as a "unique cultural, historical and political phenomenon". Responnding to the statement Friday, GERB leader and former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov saw it as opening the door for a post-election coalition between MRF and the nationalist parties.

In his statement, Dogan reasons that Bulgarian unifying patriotism at present is largely based on the need of togetherness of diversity rather than on eliminating or regimentalizing otherness and differences in the 'notorious melting pot' of the ethnic nation and of the monolithic nation state. He sees it as being fundamentally different from European and regional nationalisms in that it does not treat the ethnic nation as an end in itself or as an underlying condition for social consolidation.

He sees the lack of consensus on the country's key priorities and the "chaotic replacement of elites" as one of the main reasons why "we are paying a high social price: a low standard of living, poverty and crazy populism." Dogan is, "to put it mildly, perplexed, disturbed and concerned" by what he observes in the campaign profiles of the various political parties.

Turkey

If the "perverted understanding" of the right of someone who was temporarily present in a definite territory thanks to political cataclysms or the whims of history becomes a guiding political principle of restoring "former possessions", the world order is definitely headed for utter disintegration, Dogan reasons.

"Any attempt to sermonize or to lay claims to my State as a 'former territory' offends my national self-consciousness and my vision of the future," the MRF Honorary Chairman writes, apparently reacting to an Anadolu New Agency item last week which, covering a statement by Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Huseyin Muftuoglu, referred to Bulgaria as "a former Ottoman territory".

"The pressure, racketeering, coercion and threats clearly seek a restoration and 'democratic' legitimation of neo-Ottomanism," Dogan argues. "I would not be surprised if there is a transfer of contention and confrontation to the Balkans and to Europe. Because on April 16, 2017 neighbouring Turkey will hold a referendum on transformation of the Kemalist Republic into a Sultanate. It is insane, but it is a fact . . . And now we all, Christians, Muslims, and all ethnic groups, are in a position to teach a lesson to all who imagine that they are historically entitled to oversee and steer us."

The MRF Honorary Chairman insists that "we cannot possibly overcome poverty, the low living standards and the lack of readiness for mutual trust if the destructive energies of disunity, confrontation and hatred rage in our souls."

Borissov's Comments

Commenting on Dogan's "political message", Boyko Borissov stated that the MRF Honorary Chairman "perceives as a tangible threat" Turkey "trying to impose the agenda and to speak not only to Bulgaria but to all Europe as well in a tone which we by no means call European, accusing Europe of fascism and speaking of unilateral severing of an agreement and threatening Europe." "In this respect, Bulgaria would be scared the most by refugee flows and migrant flows. No matter how well the border is guarded, when tens of thousands of women, children and men arrive at fence: what will be done?" Borissov asked rhetorically, concluding that this is a very serious problem.

Borissov reads the following between the lines of Dogan's statement: "First, the MRF in my [Dogan's] person is a patriotic entity which, if any such problem [with Turkey] arises, the Bulgarian Turks who are MRF members will take a stand against such policy. In this respect, we [the MRF], too, are patriots."

"Dogan is opening the door for a post-election coalition with the patriotically oriented parties, they already have a common point: shielding Bulgaria from such intervention. Closing the gap with many of the parties which reason along the same lines. I'd rather not speculate that the message is addressed to the [United] Patriots or to the BSP [Bulgarian Socialist Party] only, but in any case, when Bulgarian Muslims argue whether they belong to DOST or to the MRF, it is always different from when Christians argue with Muslims," Borissov reasons.

When GERB is in power, they reckon with Turkey as "a 70-80 million strong country, with a powerful economy, with a huge army, which is across our border: the Netherlands is far away, Germany is far away, we are at the border and, as a neighbouring country, we are bound to seek and find suitable diplomatic ways of maintaining normal relations," Borissov said. "What is needed is moderate but firmly worded diplomacy, and I think that the results for Bulgaria have been good so far," Borissov pointed out. In his opinion, the firm but diplomatic approach should continue.