The pot is boiling in AKP corridors: 'There are those waiting for Erdoğan's intervention'

Journalist Nuray Babacan wrote in her column in Nefes Gazetesi about a noticeable disintegration and internal tension occurring in AKP corridors recently. Babacan stated that some issues, which had been discussed within the party for a long time but were not concretely visible, have now emerged openly.

Babacan evaluated the current situation with these words:

"In recent years, a 'situation that is much talked about but little seen' has spilled out into the open as a very clear picture. Disintegration, decay, rupture, and settling of scores from the ruling wing and its supporters have spilled out as if a lid had been lifted."

It is stated that these developments are being closely followed in ruling party corridors in terms of both their causes and potential consequences.

PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM DEBATE

Stating that there are those who believe the Presidential Government System lies at the root of the infighting within the AKP, Babacan also drew attention to the comments made during this process. Babacan wrote that assessments regarding "the inability of unqualified cadres to carry the power and their subsequent decay" have come to the fore.

She also noted that segments defined as "anxious conservatives" view these events as an operation directed at them.

MERIT DEBATE AND PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS

According to Babacan, the new system that came into effect after the 2017 referendum is at the center of management problems. Tensions between ministers and their deputies, allegations reflected in the media regarding high-level bureaucrats, and debates over merit are being linked to this system.

It is also being voiced in the corridors that "cronyist" appointments made in the public sector are further deepening the problems.

OPERATIONS TARGETING MEDIA AND CAPITAL

Touching upon recent operations targeting seized media outlets and capital groups close to the government, Babacan described this process with these words:

"The recent operations that have begun within capital groups that are 'buddies' of the government and in seized media companies are being read through the lens of 'rapid enrichment, fast living, rapid rise, and the rapid changing of hands of money'."

Babacan wrote that with the new system, powerful mayors, provincial chairs, and ministers have been neutralized. It is reported that assessments are being made in the corridors that "the new, ineffective cadres cannot see or prevent the ongoing decay."

It is also stated that there is tension between experienced figures and young teams within the AKP. Babacan expressed that the old cadres are viewed as "old-fashioned" and their suggestions are not taken into account.

MULTIPLE POWER CENTERS WITHIN THE PARTY

Stating that the system operates in a "triangle of the Palace, family, and bureaucracy," Babacan reported that there are at least three or four different power centers within the party. She summarized this situation with these expressions:

"In the end, 3-4 separate groups are being talked about. Classifications are being made such as those close to the Erdoğan family, those standing close to different names, and those receiving support from religious sects. It is alleged that as these groups grow stronger, they have a say in bureaucratic appointments, decisions to be made, and the formation of palace policy, and that they influence decisions such as which capital will come to the fore, who will withdraw, and who will receive which tender. According to some AKP members, these new power centers in the party are conducting operations against each other."

"THERE ARE THOSE WAITING FOR ERDOĞAN'S INTERVENTION"

Emphasizing that the conflict within the party has now gone beyond corridor rumors, Babacan conveyed that an intervention by AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected with these words:

"While the conflict was progressing in the form of 'political gossip' by exposing each other's flaws, it moved to another dimension with the involvement of the judiciary. There are those who explain the situation with phrases like 'neutralizing rivals' or 'cleaning up the territory while heading to elections.' Of course, the targets are not these names. It is explained that a message is being sent to the politicians they are close to within the party. Meanwhile, information is also circulating that some are taking precautions before their names are exposed, or are getting out of investigations by involving certain people. It is also alleged that some are being punished because they have recently tended to part ways with the government. We will see together whether it will go deeper or end at some point with the President's intervention. Let us also say that there are those in the party waiting for Erdoğan's intervention before everything is spilled out even further..."