AKP Worries Operations Against Opposition May Backfire

Within the ruling AKP's inner circles, a palpable unease has emerged following operations targeting municipalities led by the opposition CHP. Lawmakers are voicing concerns that the public does not believe the official justifications for these actions, instead viewing them as politically motivated. This sentiment, they fear, could lead to a backlash at the ballot box. The recent arrest of Çankaya Mayor Hüseyin Can Güner has amplified these discussions. "The public doesn't believe the municipalities are stealing," some AKP figures confided to Cumhuriyet. "They think the operations are political. And they're holding us accountable."

These parliamentarians are worried that the ongoing scrutiny of CHP-led municipalities is strengthening the perception of a "political witch hunt." They argue that this narrative, if allowed to persist, could significantly damage the AKP's electoral prospects. The core of their concern lies in the public's skepticism towards the corruption allegations, leading them to question the government's motives and ultimately assign blame to the ruling party.