ADD Chairman Hüsnü Bozkurt reacts to cabinet decision: 'A classic AKP mentality'

Report: Cenk BAŞBOĞAOĞLU -12punto

With the presidential appointment decree numbered 2026/51 dated February 10, 2026, published in the Official Gazette, Akın Gürlek was appointed as the Minister of Justice, while Mustafa Çiftçi was appointed as the Minister of Interior. The decision drew a reaction from Atatürkist Thought Association (ADD) Chairman Mustafa Hüsnü Bozkurt.

'IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT STRENGTHENING GÜRLEK IS DEEMED BENEFICIAL'

ADD Chairman Mustafa Hüsnü Bozkurt spoke to 12punto. Regarding the appointment decision by AKP President Erdoğan concerning Gürlek and Çiftçi, Bozkurt stated:

“Following the April 17, 2017 referendum, where the Supreme Election Council (YSK) unconstitutionally counted unstamped ballots as valid, our 97-year-old parliament-centered parliamentary democratic regime was changed, and we transitioned to a 'One-Man' order, dubbed the 'Turkish-Type Presidential System,' which has no equivalent in the world. In this new order, the Executive Power is exercised solely by the President; the parliament is effectively dysfunctional, and the President is equipped with powers not even held by the US President or Ottoman Sultans. For this reason, ministers no longer serve as ministers in the known sense, but as secretaries to the president; they are not accountable to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), no motions of censure can be filed against them, and because they have immunity, they are practically outside judicial oversight (even their referral to the Supreme Council requires the vote of 400 deputies). Therefore, it makes no practical difference which minister holds which position. All ministers—as they themselves constantly reiterate—are obligated to carry out the President's orders and instructions and cannot resign; when it is deemed appropriate to replace them, it is announced that they have requested to be relieved of their duties. In this case, it does not matter whether the Minister of Justice is Yılmaz Tunç, Akın Gürlek, or someone else. However, regarding this specific appointment, it is clear that it is a very significant assignment when considering the actions taken during his tenure as Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor and his previous professional career. Firstly, a judicial bureaucrat who is considered certain to be tried in the event of a change in government due to serious allegations against him has been granted a shield of immunity. Secondly, this choice by the Presidency sends a message that the IMM (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality) case and other judicial processes will be continued with the same mindset. Thirdly, considering that the Minister of Justice is also the Chairman of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) and holds the most authoritative position in all prosecutor and judge appointments, disciplinary actions, and promotions, it is understood that there is a perceived benefit in further strengthening this individual, whom main opposition leader Özgür Özel refers to as the 'Head of the AKP Judiciary Branch.' Fourthly, just as in his appointment from deputy minister to chief public prosecutor, it is seen that established rules and precedents, as well as the constitution and laws, were not taken into account in his appointment to the ministry, meaning the Republic's character as a state of law is being ignored, which increases existing concerns about the 'One-Man' order.”

'A PERSONALITY WHO COMMEMORATES THE TRAITOR KNOWN AS İSKİLİPLİ ATIF'

Regarding the 'Atatürk hostility' of Mustafa Çiftçi, who was brought to the Ministry of Interior to replace Ali Yerlikaya, Bozkurt said:

'The Presidency's choice for the Ministry of Interior is a complete classic of the AKP ruling mentality. The new minister is a typical AKP bureaucrat who graduated from Konya Imam Hatip High School and Ankara University's Faculties of Political Science and Theology. He is a personality who, as the Governor of Çorum, commemorated the traitor known as İskilipli Atıf, an Anglophile and enemy of the National Struggle and Atatürk, and as the Governor of Erzurum, issued a demolition order for the historic Erzurum Congress Building, which hosted the most important decisions of our National War of Independence. Presumably, he must have been deemed worthy of being rewarded by looking at these characteristics,' he said.

'THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION WILL DETERMINE THE COURSE'

Regarding what kind of future awaits Turkey following this cabinet change, Bozkurt said, "I do not think these two ministerial appointments will create any change in our country's political atmosphere. It is understood that the government will continue to do what it has done so far and will further escalate the environment. What will determine the course will be the performance of the opposition, especially the main opposition," he said.

News Source: 12punto