Akın Gürlek against the son-in-law
New episode of the series ‘What’s Happening at the People’s Alliance’: Akın Gürlek against the son-in-law
“THE LEGENDARY GREAT LEADER”
These days, debates over ‘internal regime’ within the AKP are running rampant. Anyone who gets a chance to speak on the media inevitably feels the need to praise someone other than President Erdoğan. Şamil Tayyar, Cem Küçük, Mücahit Birinci, Tamar Tanrıyar, Dilek Güngör… The list is very long. These figures, along with others, continue to discuss the ‘post-Erdoğan era’ even at the risk of falling out.
Whilst this debate raged on television screens, a song was played at the ceremony marking the AKP’s 25th anniversary. The subject was the AKP, but the song had been written for Erdoğan: ‘The legendary great leader.’ The song, which received a standing ovation at the gathering, and Erdoğan’s speech—everything was perfectly normal and just as it should be. So one must ask: if the opposition is disintegrating, the AKP is growing, and Erdoğan’s leadership continues, why all this fuss? Or are things actually not as good as they seem? Are there certain things the public does not know but AKP members can see?
The situation is actually not all that mysterious. Yes, what is unfolding is the ‘post-Erdoğan’ debate. But it is not a matter of such simplicity that it can be organised merely as one name stepping down to be replaced by another. The question of whether a member of the family or the bureaucrats will take the reins is the current focal point of the tension. That is why we have started to come across rumours such as ‘there is unease within the AKP over Gürlek; the Palace and Fidan have issued warnings’ all too frequently.
Ministries, media organisations and even party organisations are divided between the bureaucracy and family members. All these structures are now part of the struggle.
What is happening within the AKP can be summarised as follows: the various factions still need Erdoğan and will continue to maintain their ‘loyalty’ by further mythologising him. But at the same time, they will carry on as if Erdoğan were no longer there.
IS ERDOĞAN A “ONE-MAN”?
Regarding universities opened and closed within three days, appointments rescinded, or successive operations, dissatisfaction certainly arises on one side of the ruling front. But Erdoğan is never criticised. According to the news and assessments, either Erdoğan is unaware or he has been misled. In fact, this approach has also been reflected in those outside the government. Most recently, in the letter of the former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Demirtaş (Selahattin Demirtaş), there was an observation referring to Erdoğan: “He himself is clearly aware that opportunists preparing to snatch plunder from a potential wreck, buffoons performing backflips in pursuit of unearned rent, and hypocrites who know no bounds in flattery have increasingly begun to gather around them.”
IN A TIGHT SPOT
For a month, every time Erdoğan takes the podium, he mentions that the CHP is divided and in chaos. However, a look at the past week will provide enough evidence to show that this is not really the case.
On Erdoğan’s side;
• There is intense discord amongst the ministers themselves, between ministers and their family members, and within the pro-government media.
• A perception is beginning to take hold that Erdoğan is not fully in control of the situation. We have started to read reports of the power struggle in his own newspapers.
• The situation has gone so far as to call for the dismissal of his most senior bureaucrats. All sides want Erdoğan to back them.
• And as yet, no second or third figure has emerged to back Erdoğan. Those who do come forward are being brought down by the other side with heavy-handed tactics.
• In every debate, names such as Berat Albayrak, Akın Gürlek, Hakan Fidan and Bilal Erdoğan are mentioned. Although the topics may vary, these figures—who are closest to Erdoğan—are constantly at the centre of the debate.
On Özgür Özel’s front, however:
He seems to have “turned into an opportunity” the fact that he has no party left under his control. He projected the image of a victim but a resilient one, and the public liked this picture. The nullifiers cannot stick their noses out of the headquarters. They are constantly in Central Executive Board meetings.
The politics shaped around the Palace is dissolving, rotting. The end has come for politics that seeks its legitimacy externally or in a single individual. This politics has no chance of success, either with or without Erdoğan.
As the ruling front weakens, the fight among them intensifies and expands. As the fight intensifies, they weaken further.
Tamar Tanrıyar is a product of the mess they have created. Now that mess has begun to engulf its creators as well. The result is that politics is thriving amongst the people and on the streets. One way or another, it is the people who will emerge victorious.
Note: This article is translated from the original article titled ‘Cumhur’da Ne Oluyor’ dizisinde yeni bölüm: Akın Gürlek damada karşı, published in BirGün newspaper on June 28, 2026.
