CHP Leader: AK Party Assures Corruption Will Exist In Turkey

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has said the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has no intention of allowing an investigation into infamous corruption cases that went public last year, enabling anyone to freely become involved in graft and assuring their impunity.

Speaking at his party's meeting of provincial leaders, Kılıçdaroğlu commented that the AK Party has turned into a state party, adding that the ruling party is not ruling the state but has become the state itself. The CHP leader criticized the fact that a prosecutor recently dropped charges in corruption cases that had implicated the government. “We are witnessing the absolution of those involved in corruption and bribery, whereas honest people are being punished -- like the public servant Teoman [mentioned in the graft case files], who was exiled [to a rural province] for not accepting bribes,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

In his address to Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, Kılıçdaroğlu said: “The limits of Davutoğlu's authority have been prescribed by his elder brother [Erdoğan]; so he cannot cross these lines. Just rule the country the way it should be; if you [Davutoğlu] are unable to do it, step down. Prime ministers do not serve under tutelage.”

The main opposition head also added that both President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Davutoğlu are not fulfilling the requirements of their posts, accusing Davutoğlu of being too incompetent to rule the country and of being subordinate to Erdoğan. "It is obvious Davutoğlu is too incompetent to rule Turkey. Currently, both the prime ministerial seat and the presidential seat are empty. We know two individuals are sitting in them, but they are not acting according to the Constitution.”

Turkey's foreign policy has completely failed and has fallen into chaos, according to Kılıçdaroğlu, who highlighted recent contradictory statements coming from President Erdoğan, Prime Minister Davutoğlu and Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. The three have also been reported as contradicting their own remarks on various occasions as of late.

CHP will not attend Republic Day reception at new complex

Touching on Erdoğan's recent address at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Kılıçdaroğlu reminded his audience that the Turkish president had spoken to a hall in which the majority of the seats were empty. Kılıçdaroğlu accused Erdoğan of eroding the reputation of the country, emphasizing that Turkey garnered only 60 votes in the election for temporary membership to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The CHP leader also blamed the AK Party for failing in the settlement process between the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Turkish government. Kılıçdaroğlu declared that his party will not attend the Republic Day reception on Oct. 29, set to be held at the new presidential palace, which has sparked controversy as well after a court issued an injunction on the construction of the new complex because it is in an environmentally protected zone. President Erdoğan challenged the court ruling.

Earlier, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli announced that he would also not be participating in the Republic Day reception at the controversial presidential palace.

(Cihan/Today's Zaman)