During a televised interview, on November 20th 2013, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed his plan to place the education system under state control. On this occasion, he openly slammed the Islamic movement of Fethullah Gülen, the Hizmet, which runs several schools offering preparatory courses to major schools and universities.

M. Erdoğan, a ’’former’’ member of the Muslim Brotherhood, rose to power by bringing together the different islamic factions within the AKP, including that of Fethullah Gülen.

Moreover, the Prime Minister had already openly rebuked his deputy, Bülent Arınç, said to be close to Hizmet as is president Abdullah Gül.

M. Erdoğan is wagering on the declining political influence of Fethulla Gülen, perceived as being too weak to have a significant impact on the presidential election. Simultaneously, the AKP has started a campaign against Bülent Kenes, editor in Chief of the English-language daily edited by Hizmet, Today’s Zaman.

In light of his failures in the international arena, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan now seems to be concentrating his energy on his determination to regain control over his majority in parliament.

Translation
Alizée Ville