Erdogan hastens executive presidency with new decree
Turkey's latest decree under a continued state of emergency grants the intelligence sector unprecedented influence in the military and government, while giving Erdogan full control in these areas.
It is the 27th decree Turkey has implemented under a state of emergency since the failed coup attempt last year, but make no mistake, this one's a doozy. The expansive changes enacted are coming much faster than expected after the hotly contested voter referendum in April that authorized an executive presidency.
The decree, which took effect Aug. 25, carries significant adjustments in intelligence and security bureaucracies, allows thousands of police and judiciary personnel to be recruited and indicates other hefty changes — such as abolishing the Prime Ministry — could be on the way.
Decree 694 substantially alters 12 critical laws, including those regarding state intelligence services, judges and prosecutors, Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) personnel, military academies and foreigners.
In the basic law regulating intelligence affairs and state civil servants, the words "prime minister" are replaced by "president," signaling that all the prime minister's powers in these critical areas have been transferred to the president.
