Are tensions straining AKP's inner circle?
Despite rumors otherwise, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's relationships with his prime minister and former intelligence chief remain strong.
The resignation of Turkey's intelligence chief, Hakan Fidan, and his subsequent decision to run as a candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, has upended Turkish politics. At first, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave his blessing to Fidan's resignation and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidacy, but in a recent statement given at the airport before taking off to Latin America, Erdogan was less accepting of the resignation — making innuendos that would have an earthquake-like effect in Ankara.
This marked Erdogan’s first ever negative comments on Fidan. For five years, Erdogan relentlessly backed and praised the intelligence chief, as US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen’s team tried to remove Fidan from his post. This was actually the core of Erdogan’s war against Gulen.
Erdogan’s surprising admonishment of Fidan continued on the flight to Latin America, as he stated: “The MIT [Turkey's intelligence agency] is not your regular organization. Its head must be fully trustable. That is why I had brought [to that post] someone I could have as keeper of my secrets. … I don’t agree with his decision to resign because of fatigue. … Now, it is up to the prime minister to propose his replacement. Who that will be is truly important.”
Where does Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stand in this imbroglio? As reported by Hurriyet's Deniz Zeyrek, when Fidan announced his resignation, Davutoglu clearly stood by him, saying: "No matter what job he assumes, he will do his part. He is courageous. There will be many fields where he will serve this country. I will always have a positive position on Mr. Hakan on all issues."
