More of the same? Erdogan rule to replace emergency rule in Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will reportedly not extend Turkey's state of emergency, in place since the 2016 coup, when it expires, but critics warn Erdogan has just gained many of the powers it afforded him.
An influential pro-government Turkish newspaper reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his nationalist allies have agreed not to extend the state of emergency that has been in place since the failed 2016 coup when the current three-month period expires in July. Sabah's report followed yesterday’s meeting between Erdogan and far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli. The hard-line nationalist leader had earlier aired opposition to any relaxing of emergency rule.
Bahceli wants to be rewarded for his support, which saw Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) win Sunday’s presidential and parliamentary elections and usher in a new executive presidency to replace the parliamentary system. Select Cabinet and other posts may well go to the MHP, although it remains unclear which ones. The Cabinet, which is expected to include two deputy presidents, is supposed to be announced July 8. Bahceli is reportedly pushing for the defense and interior portfolios.
The AKP will likely retain control over foreign affairs, the economy, energy and education.
All eyes are trained on Erdogan’s son-in-law Berat Albayrak, who presents himself as the Turkish leader’s anointed successor. Albayrak is currently minister of energy but is said to yearn to become the country’s top diplomat, much as top presidential adviser Ibrahim Kalin does. But Albayrak was fielded as a parliamentary candidate — Kalin wasn’t — and won a seat in Istanbul. Under the new system, Cabinet members are picked from outside the legislature. Albayrak could theoretically relinquish his seat, allowing another AKP candidate to pick it up in a by-election.
