Political Fallout in Turkey as Prosecutor Appointed Justice Minister
The appointment of İstanbul Chief Prosecutor Akın Gürlek as Turkey’s new Justice Minister has ignited a political firestorm, with the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) lodging fierce objections that escalated into a physical altercation in parliament on Wednesday, . The CHP views the move as a potential signal of an impending snap election orchestrated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
However, the CHP’s reaction has been widely criticized as inconsistent. For months, the party had targeted Gürlek, questioning his impartiality and demanding his removal from office, arguing he wielded excessive power. Now, with Gürlek assuming the role of Justice Minister, the CHP is protesting the very outcome it previously sought.
The appointment comes after Gürlek issued the detention warrant for İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in , a move widely perceived as politically motivated. İmamoğlu, seen as a strong contender against Erdoğan in the presidential election, was subsequently arrested. The detention sparked significant unrest across the country.
Critics point out the contradiction in the CHP’s stance. According to reports, the party now implies Gürlek should remain in his previous role, despite previously calling for his dismissal. This represents described as a clear display of political inexperience.
The argument that Gürlek’s new position as Justice Minister automatically makes him the head of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) is also being debated. Previous Justice Ministers, including Yılmaz Tunç, were also appointed by the President and did not face similar criticism from the CHP.
The CHP has been openly calling for early elections for months, led by Özgür Özel. If Erdoğan is indeed preparing for a snap election, Özel’s demands have seemingly been met. The source of the current unrest, appears to stem from Erdoğan’s recent move and the uncertainty it creates regarding the timeline to .
Analysts suggest that Özel, whose own presidential ambitions are tied to İmamoğlu’s potential candidacy, is acutely aware that Erdoğan is not currently planning an early election. However, Erdoğan’s latest appointment has left Özel unsure of how the current administration will navigate the period leading up to .
For years, the legal cases against İmamoğlu and others have been framed around the figure of the investigating prosecutor. By removing that figure from the direct line of investigation, the focus is shifting towards the substance of the cases themselves – the evidence, the allegations, and the legal defenses. Prosecuting a case through a single individual was easier than navigating the complexities of the legal files themselves.
The shift in focus, according to observers, will make it more challenging for the opposition to maintain its narrative. Previously, the CHP could focus its criticism on the perceived bias of the prosecutor. Now, the party will be forced to engage with the details of the cases, a task that is expected to be considerably more difficult.
Recent reports indicate a crackdown on CHP officials since the appointment of Gürlek as Istanbul’s Chief Prosecutor in . As of this writing, 17 mayors have been arrested, 16 of whom are affiliated with the CHP. This intensified pressure followed the CHP’s historic victory in the local elections, which marked the party’s first nationwide plurality since .
