Opposition requires ministers implicated in graft probe to resign
Following the big corruption scandal having to do with sons of some ministers and others close to the government, Turkey’s opposition parties seem determined to increase the pressure on those involved of which some are still in detainment and are expected to be arrested any minute subject to the prosecutor’s demand in this direction.
In a speech delivered at an industry congress held by the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) on December 20th on the other hand, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu argued that the prime minister had already lost the confidence of his own people and added “I would expect that since you said you came to power in order to fight against corruption, then when something like this happens, related ministers should come and say: Mr. Prime Minister, we will leave our duties until light is shed on the issue. Believe me, democracy would have won in Turkey, if they had said this.”
The suspects include the sons of Interior Minister Muammer Güler, Economy Minister Zafer Cağlayan and Environment and Urban Planning Minister Erdoğan Bayraktar. To be even worse, EU Minister Egemen Bağış is also said to be a suspect involved in corruption and bribery.
A senior executive of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) said Dec. 20 that a Cabinet reshuffle was likely to take place coming week, probably following a scheduled visit of the prime minister to Pakistan. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is set to depart for Pakistan late on Dec. 22 and will return late Dec. 24.
In the meantime, it was suggested by Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ that “the operation” was aimed at manipulating local elections and presidential elections.
20.12.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA
