Erdogan to force public servants into submission with potential law

Aya Ezz

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party are advocating a new bill that will introduce background and security checks for persons entering public service, for the first time in Turkey’s history.

The draft law reflects Erdogan’s lack of confidence in his countrymen, especially after the opposition presented proof of his corruption.

Background checks bill

The new bill says the background checks will extend to the new public servants’ spouses and first-degree relatives, as well as their parents-in-law.

Moreover, workers of lesser status in key public institutions related to national security, as well as top officials, such as governors, will also be required to pass these checks.

The checks will cover intelligence information on individuals, their relationship with foreign state bodies and foreign nationals, actions in line with terrorist organizations or criminal gangs, and whether they are in contact with any such persons.

Reports will be based on existing information, as well as a repeat investigation via suitable methods.

According to Turkish media, Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party are in a hurry for the bill to be approved by the parliament.

Erdogan’s Emergency

A state of emergency has been in effect in Turkey since the presumed 2016 military coup against Erdogan.

However, the Turkish president used this emergency in sacking over 100,000 civil servants, against the background of their opposition to Erdogan’s policies.

Political science professor Abdel Khabir Attalah expected the Justice and Development Party to keep campaigning for the new bill until it is approved by parliament.

The bill will most likely be approved this month, Abdel Khabir told The Reference.

He said Erdogan would use the bill to overcome some of the political crises he faces inside his country.

He wants to obliterate the opposition altogether in the presence of calls for holding snap presidential elections, Abdel Khabir said of Erdogan.