Former National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Undersecretary Hakan Fidan who earlier resigned from his position to run for Parliament from the ranks of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has withdrawn his candidacy and has been appointed back to his post.
The withdrawal comes after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke out against Fidan's candidacy, in what was seen as a sign of friction between Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu.
He was appointed back to his post hours after he announced his decision to withdraw his candidacy for the elections. Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç announced that Davutoğlu appointed him as the MİT head following a Cabinet meeting chaired by Erdoğan.
The opposition was highly critical of the government’s move to re-appoint Fidan as the country’s intelligence chief, voicing concern over his impartiality.
In a written statement released on Monday night, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) spokesperson Haluk Koç Fidan “cannot and should not be” appointed as the MİT undersecretary.
“Fidan, who joined a political party, cannot and should not be appointed as the MİT undersecretary,” Koç said.
Fidan’s re-appointment also stepped up tensions during parliamentary talks. “This is a shame,” CHP deputy Levent Gök said during a brawl in Parliament. “Fidan’s resignation and then re-appointment to his post is just unacceptable,” he added.
“How on earth such a disgrace can happen?” also asked Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) parliamentary group deputy chairman Oktay Vural.
Responding to the opposition, AK Party parliamentary group deputy chairman Mahir Ünal said the legal aspect of the can be discussed but criticized the opposition deputies for using words like “shame” and “disgrace”.
Fidan gave no reason while announcing his decision to withdraw his candidacy on Monday night but it is no secret that Erdoğan's disapproval lies behind it.
"As of today, I withdrew my candidacy for the general elections as I deemed necessary. On the path of service to my nation and my people, I will always try to properly fulfil the duties entrusted to me," he said in a brief statement.
A source in Davutoğlu's office said the prime minister had discussed Fidan's withdrawal with Erdogan and had approved it.
"Hakan Fidan made such a request and expressed his desire to withdraw. Davutoğlu discussed the issue with Erdoğan and approved of the withdrawal," an official in the prime ministry told Reuters on Monday on condition of anonymity.
In remarks to a group of journalists aboard his plane en route to Turkey from Saudi Arabia, Erdoğan said last week “of course resentment is there” as Fidan resigned and applied for candidacy for Parliament despite the president having expressed his opposition.
“The MİT is not a random institution. It is the most important institution of the state. If the intelligence agency of a state is insufficient, it is not possible for that state to survive. We appointed him to such a position. I am the one who assigned him. Then... if it [resignation] wasn't allowed, he should have stayed, not leave. Therefore, of course I am resentful,” Erdoğan was quoted as saying.
This was not the first time that Erdoğan, who calls Fidan as his secret-keeper, voiced his disappointment about Fidan's resignation. In his remarks to group of journalists published on Feb. 10, Erdoğan said Fidan decided to resign because he is "tired," despite his requests for him to stay.
“Our brother... may have plans to become a deputy or to take some other position beyond that -- any promises made of this kind I cannot claim to know. Thus, I don't find it appropriate, but unfortunately he found taking such a step appropriate because he says he's tired and couldn't continue in the position any more,” Erdoğan said last month.
The president was likely referring to the Prime Ministry or Foreign Ministry when talking about the "promises" made to Fidan, who is rumored to be next in line for the post of foreign minister or even prime minister.
Signs of strain
Erdoğan wants the AK Party to secure a stronger majority in June in order to help push constitutional changes through parliament and forge a full-fledged presidential system in Turkey, where currently the prime minister holds more power.
Fidan was one of Erdoğan's closest confidants as head of intelligence, a role to which two columnists said on Monday he was now expected to return.
Had Fidan entered parliament and the cabinet under Davutoğlu, he would have been seen as a powerful ally to the prime minister and a potential counterweight to Erdoğan's grip.
Although they have maintained a united facade, strains have started to show between Erdoğan and Davutoğlu.
Davutoğlu was in New York last week trying to reassure investors after Erdoğan's strident criticism of the central bank unnerved markets.
Erdoğan's comment on Friday that he would be happy to see former president Abdullah Gül back in the AK Party also pointed to apparent tensions.
Source: http://www.todayszaman.com/national_hakan-fidan-re-appointed-as-spy-chie...
