​Main opposition leader Kilicdaroglu throws down the gauntlet

TURKEY - In Brief 19 Oct 2021 by Atilla Yesilada

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I remarked in our recent Weekly Tracker that “The first thing we notice is very high morale. First time in a decade opposition parties AND their constituents smell victory, acting as if their ascent to power is inevitable. To some extent, we observe this is demoralizing AKP-MHP voters and loyalists in the ranks of civil service”. The first part of my comment was highlighted by the recent move of main opposition (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu who broadcast a twitter video, urging civil servants to obey the Constitution and the law of the land, rather than orders from Erdogan and his family.He added that he considers 18 October a deadline by which all civil servants must cease obeying unlawful instructions from the Palace. The implication is clear, those who remain loyal to Erdogan and AKP shall be brought to justice if and when an opposition coalition wins an election. The reaction from the Erdogan government was swift. AKP spokesperson accused Kilicdaroglu of inciting to riot, as Erdogan added that Kilicdaroglu yearns for the bad old days when such instructions were issued by the then all-powerful military. Yesterday, Erdogan’s lawyers filed a complaintabout Kilicdaroglu, claiming he insulted Erdogan. The legal aspect of Kilicdaroglu’s challenge to bureaucracy is currently not that interesting or novel. I doubt Erdogan will dare to go the extent of asking his caucus to remove Kilicdaroglu’s parliamentary immunity. But, it will be very enlightening to absorb the news percolating from the civil service whether Kilicdaroglu scared any employees “straight”. The opposition media claims that the bureaucracy had already slowed paperwork not to be implicated in Erdogan’s alle...