Power and fear are the two words that are used most by those keeping track of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political saga. It is his fear that the corruption and graft accusations will in the end implicate him and his determination to hold on to power as the new president. That is what is motivating him to constantly maneuver to preserve his power over the government and the parliament. Setting up a shadow government is one such method he has come up with.

He has increased the number of substantial directorates of the presidency from four to 13. New units include internal security, foreign relations, economy, defense, energy and investment monitoring. Previously there were only the directorates of administrative and financial affairs, institutional communications, information technology and human resources. The president, whose main function was to approve draft bills, used to sit around the table with his advisers and ask for their opinions.

Confidential decree

Erdogan made the changes not through a usual procedural arrangement, but by resorting to a confidential decree. Article 107 of the current 1982 Constitution allows the president to manage the “General Secretariat of the Presidency.” This revision decree, which was not subject to judicial approval, was issued at a time when there was a heated debate raging on how the 1,150 rooms of the White Palace would be used. The new system crafted by Erdogan will function as a “big brother” and the Cabinet ministers will feel the presidency looking over their shoulders.