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News & Comment
The Pelican File
News
President of AKP (The Justice and Development Party) and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, stated in his party's group assembly: ''I would push away with the back of my hand (reject strictly) any office that is thought not to be neglected by any mortal, but I would never break the heart of any comrade in this blessed movement. This life is a test for everyone. Everybody will take his own examination. We believe in only one who holds files. Those who record our files on our right and left shoulders... Let them write the truth. Let the others write whatever they want.'' (Source: http://www.dha.com.tr/davutoglu-her-makami-elimin-tersiyle-iterim-ama_1215419.html)
Comment
On the one hand, there are conflicts in the East and Southeast of Turkey, and on the other hand, there are conflicts within the parliamentary parties. Conflicts within the National Movement Party and the People's Republic Party, as well as the conflicts between the party centrals and the oppositions are hardening day by day. Especially the opposition within the MHP (The National Movement Party) is using every legal and political option to make the party go to Congress.
And these days the alleged conflict between President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Davutoğlu is talked with a lot higher tone.
Especially after AKP's Central Decision Execution Committee (MKYK) took away the authority of appointing the party's provincial and town president from Prime Minister Davutoğlu and gave it to the committee, the atmosphere got a lot tenser. Because with this decision, Davutoğlu wouldn't be able to appoint the provincial and town presidents of the party he is leading. Thus President Erdoğan weakens Davutoğlu's position even more. Thus Davutoğlu who couldn't open a comfortable space for himself, is weakened in the Party.
Also discussions in the media about appointing President Erdoğan's son-in-law who is Minister of Energy, or Minister of Transport, Binali Yıldırım, instead of Davutoğlu, even prior to this decision, indicates the problem between Davutoğlu and Erdoğan.
On the other hand, on a blog site named ''Pelican file'' Davutoğlu and his team is criticized very heavily, being called a traitor in an unnamed article by a pro-Erdoğan.
So the devolution of authority was conducted by the MKYK gathering with a 5 and a half hour delay under such an atmosphere where the “Pelican File” is still on the agenda. Especially the power of those within the AKP, who are very loyal to Erdoğan, is leaving Davutoğlu helpless.
It demonstrated that Davutoğlu had no choice but to hand over his authorities. And so it happened. Davutoğlu stated those statements above after these debates in their group assembly.
So why does President Erdoğan want the authority to be in the hands of the MKYK?
Because they can sometimes have different opinions on some subjects. Erdogan, who has good control over the pulse of politics, wants to gain control over the executive at the same time. He is well aware of the possibilities he would have in particular under the presidential system.
Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
Osman YILDIZ