Hakan Fidan crisis in the ruling camp: 'If an adjustment is needed...'

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s statements regarding the integration process of the SDF in northeastern Syria with the Damascus administration continue to shake Turkey’s political agenda. Fidan’s remarks have led to significant debates within the ruling party and other political circles. The emergence of differing views, particularly among AKP deputies, has increased tension in the political climate.

The debates were further fueled by criticisms directed at Fidan by DEM Party deputy Cengiz Çandar. Arguing that the language Fidan used was a "language of threat," Çandar stated that such rhetoric does not find broad resonance in society and damages social peace. Çandar said, "The implications and veiled threats made by the honorable Foreign Minister break the hearts of millions of Kurds in Turkey, in Syria, and everywhere, and make it impossible to write the epic that President Erdoğan says 'We will start writing together'."

Fidan’s statements also caused a major stir within the AKP. At this point, one of the most notable statements came from AKP Diyarbakır deputy Galip Ensarioğlu.

Ensarioğlu argued that Fidan’s stance does not align with President Erdoğan’s will. Stating that the presidential system is based on the President’s will, Ensarioğlu hinted that if Fidan’s stance were contrary to President Erdoğan’s, he could be removed from office. Ensarioğlu said the following:

"In our presidential system, the will that determines policy is the President’s will. A person who shows a stance contrary to the President’s will either leaves the post or is removed from office. In such important matters for Turkey, regardless of the title, there cannot be a will above the President’s, and no one can manifest a will against it." Ensarioğlu evaluated Fidan’s statements as his personal opinion and stated that the final policy would be determined by the President.

Ensarioğlu’s statements raised the question, "Is there discomfort within the AKP regarding Fidan?" However, Şamil Tayyar, one of the party’s influential figures, intervened in these debates and added a different dimension to the issue.

Tayyar stated that there is no disagreement between Fidan and President Erdoğan. In his statement, Tayyar included the following expressions:

"Let me underline this, there is no disagreement between our President and Fidan on this issue. This stance is preserved exactly in the solution report of both the AK Party and the MHP. That is why they are uncomfortable with both reports and are taking their anger out on Fidan."

Tayyar also leveled harsh criticism at the DEM Party’s demands regarding Syria policy. Accusing the DEM Party of presenting a "proposal similar to the Treaty of Sèvres," Tayyar claimed that the party is demanding local autonomy, proposing to open the first four articles of the constitution to debate, and suggesting cooperation with the YPG.

With these statements, Tayyar also sent harsh messages regarding relations with the DEM Party and the PKK:

"If the DEM/PKK and their collaborators want the law of brotherhood and social peace; they must stop treating Turkey like Yugoslavia and stop playing with the sensitive nerves of society and the founding values of the state. Especially, they should not present Öcalan’s decrepit ideological fantasies as the construction of a new state."

IF AN ADJUSTMENT IS TO BE MADE TO FİDAN, THE ADDRESS IS NOT FİDAN, BUT DEM

Finally, sending a message to the critics within the party, Tayyar said, "If an adjustment is needed, it is not Fidan, but DEM, which is sabotaging the process."