MHP asks for explanation from Erdo?an on his objection to Fidan's political career

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has called on President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an to voice his justification for why he did not find the country?s top intelligence official?s transition to the political stage appropriate.

Undersecretary of the National Intelligence Organization (M?T) Hakan Fidan was hastily restored to the post he had resigned from to stand in the June elections. Opposition parties said Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu?s reappointment of Fidan late on March 9 as head of the M?T was a result of pressure from Erdo?an, who had opposed Fidan?s decision to run for a parliamentary seat.

?This nation is fed up with ups and downs. The latest example for this took place on the issue of the Undersecretariat of the M?T. What harm did he see in his candidacy? Mr. President needs to explain that,? Bahçeli told reporters on March 12, when asked about Fidan?s reappointment.

During debates in the General Assembly on March 11, MHP deputies strongly argued Fidan?s reappointment was not legal.

The appointment of an undersecretary for the M?T is made through approval of the National Security Council (MGK), the MHP?s Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair Yusuf Halaço?lu said. However, between his resignation from the post and his reappointment to the post, no MGK meeting was held, and thus MGK approval was not given in Fidan?s case, Halaço?lu said, labeling his reappointment as ?unlawful.?

Earlier this week, the MHP already stated it saw the reappointment as a move by Erdo?an to consolidate his power.

?It is clear that President Erdo?an is moving towards the goal of making the M?T in the full sense his back garden, using it for his political interests,? MHP Secretary General ?smet Buyukataman had said in...