Bulent Arinc: Turkey is not Azerbaijan regarding succession

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, Turkey 

Former Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc stated that a hereditary political succession is unlikely in Turkey and criticized the ongoing detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu during a televised interview.

Arinc, a co-founder of the ruling Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (AKP), addressed rumors regarding Bilal Erdogan’s potential candidacy to succeed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Speaking to Sozcu TV, Arinc emphasized that Turkey’s democratic culture differs significantly from regional neighbors, suggesting that a "father-to-son" transition would not receive public approval or align with the nation’s political structure.

Hereditary succession and political tradition

Responding to questions about Bilal Erdogan’s future role, Arinc noted that while hereditary transitions might occur in countries like Azerbaijan or Iran, Turkey remains a different case. He stated that although family members have served as deputies in the past, a presidential succession within the family would not be generally accepted by the Turkish electorate.

Arinc also reflected on President Erdogan’s previous political maneuvers, specifically citing the 2007 presidential elections. He recalled that Erdogan once referred to Abdullah Gul as "my brother" during his candidacy, suggesting that as elections approach, the President may similarly designate another trusted figure as a "brother" to lead the movement.

Comments on Ekrem Imamoglu's detention

Addressing the legal situation of Ekrem Imamoglu, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor who was removed from office and detained on March 23 on corruption allegations, Arinc used the proverb, "the early-crowing rooster gets its head cut off." He suggested that Imamoglu’s early announcement of his presidential ambitions may have contributed to his current legal troubles.

Despite his criticism, Arinc argued that Imamoglu should be tried without detention. Drawing parallels to his own past and that of Necmettin Erbakan and President Erdogan, Arinc noted that even their strongest political opponents in the past did not insist on their arrest during trial. He emphasized that judicial control measures, such as a travel ban, would be sufficient to ensure the legal process continues without imprisonment.

Judicial ethics and political shifts

Arinc also made an appeal for Tayfun Kahraman, a city planner and Gezi trial convict suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He criticized the Forensic Medicine Institute for what he described as a "merciless" stance regarding Kahraman’s health condition and called for his release on humanitarian grounds, stating he never viewed Kahraman as someone intending to overthrow the government.

In a final note on party loyalty, Arinc criticized Istanbul Deputy Hasan Ufuk Cakir, who recently joined the AKP from the CHP. Arinc expressed embarrassment over Cakir’s "servile" behavior and military salute to President Erdogan during the badge ceremony. He stated that while changing parties is a known practice, it should be done with dignity rather than "showmanship," using the term "tabasbus" (fawning) to describe the display.

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