Gazete Pencere columnist and journalist Nuray Babacan continues to report news from inside the AKP. In today’s column, Babacan explains that the Presidential Government System has caused endless internal debates within the AKP. She says that discussions on this issue have gained momentum recently, and that the latest development is the claim that two new ones will be added to the 9 presidential councils of 80 people.
The incompatibility between “the party group, the headquarters management and the palace team” created by the new governance system draws attention. While harmony is being achieved between the party and the group, tensions with the palace are increasing. As conflicts of authority between appointed and elected officials grow, attempts to silence journalists who cover this issue have become commonplace.
The main reasons for this conflict include presidential advisors making statements in place of party spokespersons, ministers meeting at the palace, work done without informing the headquarters and the party, and the influence of advisors in public appointments.
Moreover, the plan to add 2 new boards to the existing 9 presidential policy committees has drawn criticism on the grounds that it would further weaken the party group and the headquarters. The creation of new staff, especially during the economic crisis, has been criticized by the public and it is claimed that this plan has been put on hold for the time being.
“At a time when some ministers and party leaders were expecting to dismiss advisors who contradicted ‘party policies’, the opposite decisions are said to be causing problems. Just like those expecting normalization and renewal.”
While some ministers and party leaders were expecting the dismissal of advisors who contradicted party policies, the opposite decisions have caused disappointment. Moreover, the number of chief advisors and consultants in the palace is kept secret, reportedly out of concern that the bloated staff might provoke a public backlash.