The refugee issue come to the fore
which is a question that can’t be THE RETURN OF REFUGEES, answered easily or quickly, has come to the fore. As the June 2023 elections near, political parties are entering a moment in which they will allocate more time to refugees. So far, the government, which had a clear roadmap, has stated that it believes Syrian refugees should remain in Turkey while the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and IYI Party have said they will return them to their country with policies that will ensure peace in Syria in case they come into power. However, now President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced at the iftar meal with Ambassadors that the government would endeavor to return Syrians to their country. This was interpreted as the beginning of a new process regarding the refugee policy.
Devlet Bahceli, Leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) which is a partner in the CUMHUR alliance, defines the refugee issue as ‘irregular migration’ and ‘unnamed invasion’. Bahceli said those, who are in Turkey under temporary protection status and who disturb the peace and create social unrest should immediately be deported without pity. “Our principal proposal is to send Syrian refugees to their country voluntarily and safely as soon as the difficult conditions which paved the way for them to leave Syria will disappear,” Bahceli noted. “The time for the visit is limited. There is no need for Syrian refugees who can visit their country in the upcoming Ramadan holiday, to come back again,” he added. President Erdogan pointed out the briquette homes which are under construction in Northern Syria in order for refugees to leave in another statement. “We are a government which welcomes refugees and does not expel them. After the construction of briquette houses is completed in Northern Syria and a peaceful environment is ensured, they will voluntarily return there,” Erdogan added.