What happened behind the scenes of the two ministers' replacement? 'Ali Yerlikaya-Akın Gürlek incompatibility...'

The repercussions of the changes in the Ministries of Interior and Justice, made by President Erdoğan's decree on February 11, continue. Following the appointments of Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek and Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi, both appointments were met with significant backlash. While opposition parties strongly criticized these changes, CHP member Mahmut Tanal was hospitalized following a scuffle in Parliament.

However, information emerging from behind-the-scenes sources has begun to clarify that there was a deeper reason for these appointments.

According to T24 columnist Tolga Şardan, Erdoğan's original plan was to appoint Akın Gürlek as Minister of Justice. However, it is alleged that Gürlek had an incompatible working relationship with Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. Due to this incompatibility, it was stated that Erdoğan considered appointing an Interior Minister who could work in harmony with Gürlek.

THE DISMISSAL OF YERLİKAYA

Following the obstacles to making Gürlek the Minister of Justice, it was decided to appoint Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi, a less well-known and low-profile bureaucrat, to the Ministry of Interior.

Çiftçi was seen as a suitable option for the Ministry of Interior, specifically with the thought that he would work more harmoniously with Akın Gürlek. The primary reason for Ali Yerlikaya's dismissal was his display of an incompatible working style with Gürlek.

Initially, it was expected that Istanbul Governor Davut Gül would be appointed to replace Yerlikaya. The reason Gül's name stood out was his close relationship with Bilal Erdoğan. However, when this expectation turned into a search for an Interior Minister who would work in harmony with Gürlek, Çiftçi's name came to the fore.

Mustafa Çiftçi entered the civil administration in 1996 after completing his district governorship training during the Refahyol government era. Çiftçi, who has not served in any other major city besides Erzurum in his career, had previously served as the chief of staff for İsmail Kahraman. The new Interior Minister learned that he would assume the ministerial post via a phone call from Ankara around 10:00 PM on the day his appointment was to take place.

THERE WAS NO MAJOR PREPARATION BEHIND ÇİFTÇİ'S APPOINTMENT

Çiftçi's appointment raised some questions regarding whether he had sufficient experience to manage a powerful institution like the Ministry of Interior.

However, it is believed that Erdoğan's search for a name who would work in harmony with Gürlek made this appointment necessary. Furthermore, the efforts of some deputy ministers to gain influence following Yerlikaya's dismissal signaled new regulations that would change the bureaucratic structure.