Turmoil in the AKP: 'Morale is low, MPs are fighting with each other'

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pinned badges on 2 new MPs and 13 mayors who joined his party on its 23rd anniversary.

Gazete Pencere columnist Nuray Babacan reported on what has been happening following the AKP's anniversary celebrations.

Stating that "the picture that emerged after the atmosphere intended to be created at the AKP's anniversary passed is not very encouraging," Babacan noted that there are feuding figures within the AKP, writing, "The MPs of the provinces are also fighting with each other."

"PROVINCES ARE SEETHING BECAUSE OF THESE APPOINTMENTS"

Highlights from Babacan's column:

"After the atmosphere intended to be created at the AKP's anniversary passed, the picture that emerged is not very encouraging. There are strange conflicts that emerged during the local elections and still continue in all provinces. The reason for the current conflict is the issue of which provincial administrations were dismissed during the congress process and who will be appointed as their replacements on an interim basis. Provinces are being liquidated one by one. Before the congress planned for next year, a 'kind of trustee' is being appointed. The congress process will be completed with these interim administrations. The number of provinces whose administrations were removed following the local election failure has exceeded 20. As for the new provincial administrations that will lead the party to the congress, there is no consensus among the MPs. The Organization Chairman goes to the palace with a few names in hand. Among these names, the one deemed appropriate by Erdoğan is appointed. These top-down appointments lead to comments such as, 'If we continue with this mindset, we will shut down. The provinces are seething because of these appointments.'

Meanwhile, with every dismissal announcement, eyes turn to the Ankara and Istanbul administrations. Because these two administrations were mentioned among those to be dismissed due to the local election failure in the party. The comment made regarding the delay is, 'The President could not find suitable names for these administrations and was not convinced by the names proposed.' It is also significant that the ruling party cannot find names for interim provincial chairs! Let us add immediately: Istanbul is one of the provinces where MPs and the provincial administration are openly fighting. The crisis between the provincial administration and the MPs is being openly discussed within the party."

'THERE IS TOTAL DISARRAY…'

"It is said that the regular provincial consultation meetings in the provinces can no longer be held. Firstly, those attending the meetings have problems with each other. Secondly, these meetings were held to listen to the problems of the citizens. It turned out that those attending the meetings are constantly criticizing the government. Furthermore, it is said that in some provinces, voters do not even bother with this and do not attend the meetings.

It is reported that MPs, who still plan to go to work in their constituencies when the Turkish Grand National Assembly goes on recess out of old habit, are disappointed. One MP complains, 'I called the provincial administration and asked, "I will be in the province on the weekend, what program will we do?" I received the answer, "There is no program, no one is here." I said, "Are there no weddings or funerals either?" There is total disarray…'

It seems that metal fatigue is being experienced everywhere. The provincial administrations, who are being held responsible for mistakes such as wrong economic and political decisions and wrong candidate selection, are clearly resentful. I think it is a mistake to expect these administrations, which are waiting to be dismissed, to be enthusiastic about making programs."