Belgian Turks divided over expulsion of Kır from socialist party over hosting far-right MHP mayors

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Turks in Belgium are divided over expulsion of Turkish-origin mayor and lawmaker Emir Kır from the French-speaking socialist party PS, Euronews Turkish reported on Jan. 20.

Saint-Josse mayor Kır was expelled from the party on Jan. 17 following a meeting with a delegation of Turkish mayors, which included two from the right-wing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). He was also accused of having paid his respects to an MHP mayor on a recent trip to Turkey.

Euronews conducted interviews with a group of Turkish-origin people living in Brussels. Some said it was “normal” for Kır to host politicians coming from Turkey, whereas some others found Kır's action incompatible with his party's stance.

“Those who expelled Emir Kır are racist. It is normal for someone to host politicians coming from their country of origin,” said Bekir Dağcı and his wife.

Another Turkish-origin resident of Brussels claimed “jealousy” was one of the reasons of Kır's expulsion. “He [Kır] did good things, paved the way for Turks. But this displeased some people, there was a jealousy,” Hasan Aslan said. Aslan also claimed that the rise in the number of Muslim politicians in Belgium created an “uneasiness” in the country. “It is alleged that people who believe in Islam will have a majority in Brussels by the year 2050, which scares people,” he said.

Another Turkish-origin person who introduced himself as "Ali" told Euronews that Kır's action was incompatible with the PS' values. “You are a socialist, but then you work with fascist minds. The [party] officials should analyze the people whom they take into the party very carefully in the beginning. Such a move [accepting someone with an immigrant background] can bring in votes for the party in the short-run, but in the long-run, it leads to many disagreements,” he said.

'Racism is out of the question'

Michael Privot, the director of the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), said that the expulsion of Kır from the PS did not stem from “racism.” “Racism is out of the question here. Someone else could not have acted so relaxed. MHP officials's visit was the final straw,” he said.

“You cannot defend different values in Turkey and Belgium. The MHP is far away from the values that brings a society together. The message that is trying to be given to the Turkish politicians is: 'If you are a member of a party, you should also embrace its values.'”

According to some experts, the SP will pay a heavy price for expelling Kır as he brings approximately 18,000 votes to the party.

Meanwhile, fifteen hours after Emir Kır expulsion, Emin Özkara, a lawmaker from the same party, announced his decision to sit as an independent. Özkara's decision, together with Kır's ejection from the party, reduced the PS numbers in the Brussels parliament to 16 members.

Kır himself, despite losing his party whip, can carry on sitting as mayor of Saint-Josse so long as he has the support of enough of his (former) colleagues.