President Erdoğan holds private meeting with AKP members without PM

Nuray Babacan ANKARA

The private meeting was held in the absence of Prime Minister and AKP Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu. AA Photo

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a private meeting with ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) members in the absence of the prime minister, during which he dished out harsh criticism about the party’s current policies.

In a private meeting with AKP group deputy chairmen and AKP board members held at the controversial presidential palace and in the absence of Prime Minister and AKP Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu, Erdoğan slammed the recent “transparency” measures that the government announced to increase transparency and accountability in funding for political parties and election campaigns.

“We have already realized some of the regulations that were revealed with the transparency package with the prime ministerial notice we published in 2010,” said Erdoğan.

“The timing and content of such a regulation is very important; I don’t find it correct before an election,” he added.

Davutoğlu announced the “Program for Transparency in Public Administration” at a press conference on Jan. 14, accompanied by members of his cabinet.

President Erdoğan also criticized the "consultation and advisory" mechanism between the Presidency and the Prime Öinistry, saying it was not being run adequately.

“The presidential system is needed for consultation and harmony to occur,” he said, repeating his desire to change Turkey's electoral system.