Opposition MHP leader accuses PM Erdoğan of establishing own media

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has accused Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of shaping media groups to serve his political interests after doing away with the democratic principle of separation of powers.

“After subordinating the legislative, the executive and the judiciary to himself, the prime minister is forming, by the exertion of pressure on the media, media groups that will serve his purposes,” Bahçeli said at his party's local election rally in Tokat on Tuesday.  

Criticizing Erdoğan for turning a deaf ear to claims of widespread corruption in the government, Bahçeli warned: “Corruption will cause a state to collapse. If the necessary measures are not taken, then it will spread to all segments [of society].”  

Following a graft probe that became public on Dec. 17 of last year, four Cabinet ministers had to leave their positions. Erdoğan accepted the authenticity of several audio clips revealed on YouTube that showed his interference in the judiciary and public tenders. Other audio clips, which allegedly feature Erdoğan speaking to various media officials, revealed that the prime minister had also intervened in the media.

Bahçeli criticized the prime minister for governing the country without consulting anyone but a few advisors and for not taking into account the feelings or opinions of those who voted in the elections. Even deputies of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) are not aware of what is going on, the MHP leader maintained.

 Noting that corruption has been on the agenda of Turkey since the breaking of the graft probe, Bahçeli accused Erdoğan of hurting the people who voted for him with the divisive language he has used since the probe. “'This is an act of montage,' [in reference to audio clips] he says. 'Those who did this [wiretapping] are immoral,' he says. But he never says, 'There is corruption in this country and I should fight it,'” Bahçeli said.

 

Source/Fuente: http://www.todayszaman.com/news-341834-opposition-mhp-leader-accuses-pm-...