Turkey sees double-head governing rift

Recent tension between the country’s top two officials escalated to a new level yesterday as President Abdullah Gül challenged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, maintaining that he had not overstepped his authority.

The tension stemmed from Gul’s reported instruction to Ankara’s governor to tolerate people who wanted to celebrate Republic Day independently despite the government ban, prompting Erdogan to say Oct. 30 that “double-headed rule” would not benefit Turkey.

Gul, ahead of receiving the credentials of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s new ambassador, Damir Dzanko, was asked by reporters about Erdogan’s remarks on “double-headed rule.”

Gul first said there was no need for misunderstandings and everybody should carefully look at what was said.

“Firstly, of course, there is nothing more normal than, my, as the president, urging authorities’ attention to decent celebration of Republic Day in the entire country. Additionally, there would be no double-headed rule either. In the country’s administration, double-headed rule is not right. Such a thing is out of the question,” Gul said.

“Our Constitution and our current laws have already openly outlined all of our authorities, duties and responsibilities. In this regard, I have the conviction that none of us should lead to misunderstandings.”