Rift widens between Erdogan, former President Gul over decree
The decree grants civilians who took action against rebel soldiers during the failed mid-2016 military coup impunity.
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Kurdistan 24) – With Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) entering its fifteenth year on the country’s political arena, a recent decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan granting some civilians impunity has created the largest split between the party’s founders, among them his predecessor Abdullah Gul.
On Sunday, Erdogan, for the second time since last week, targeted Gul—a long-time political comrade who co-founded the AKP with him—over the latter’s criticism of a decree that gives exemption from criminal responsibility to civilians who took action against rebel soldiers during the failed mid-2016 military coup.
However, the executive order also covers civilians who take matters into their hands in countering activities that qualify as “a follow-up to the putsch and terror acts.”
“How come they came up on stage and began talking on this and that issue? What is going on? Why this curiosity for mischief?” Erdogan asked without naming Gul who has been mostly out of daily politics since leaving office in 2014.
Gul had pointed to what he called the ambiguous language in the phrasing of the decree and called it “worrisome” for the rule of law, expressing his shared concern with opposition parties that the article could lead to the formation of pro-government militias.
“I hope it will be revised to avoid developments and incidents that could sadden us all in the future,” he tweeted, raising questions once again among pundits and the media about whether Gul would start an organized intra-party opposition to Erdogan’s rule.
Earlier this week, Erdogan said “shame on you” to Gul, while at the same time directing arrows at another ex-comrade, Bulent Arinc, the former Speaker of the Parliament, who retweeted the latter’s statements.
The duo silently rejected an April referendum on strengthening the President’s office with executive powers that circumvent legislative check and balances. Erdogan noted their lack of support for his campaign.
Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), along with civil society organizations have all labeled the regulation as one that could pave the way for violence against government opponents and worse, a civil war.
Gul in response reserved his right to free speech and expression in a press release by his office.
“I shall continue to express my views as I see fit,” he said, charging pro-government media, some AKP lawmakers, and “social media trolls” with being disrespectful, insulting, and immoral toward him.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim went a step further than Erdogan and said those opposing the decree were no different than the coup-plotters.
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany