Low-level bureaucrats' appointments by president harmed hierarchy within state: High-level gov't officials

Duvar English

The appointments of low-level bureaucrats by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has harmed the hierarchical structure within the state, high-level ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) officials have said.

There are examples of governors or general managers that don't answer calls by ministers and lawmakers, AKP politicians told Duvar, adding that the situation needs to be fixed.

"There are general managers who don't comply with what ministers tell them. They say, 'Both of us were appointed by the president.' Is this acceptable? There is structuring from bottom to top in the state. There is a public discipline and people are working under their chiefs," a politician said.

"It can't go on like this, it needs to be fixed," the AKP official added.

Opposition politicians, meanwhile, have been criticizing the power of those appointed over the elected ever since the country switched to a presidential system.

The fact that Vice President Fuat Oktay's signature was on a decision to strip three opposition lawmakers of their parliamentary status is shown as an example of the said practice.

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