Erdogan’s Triumph: Implications for Turkey’s Democracy and Global Standing

Erdogan‘s Victory: A Fateful Moment for Turkey‘s Democracy and Global Standing

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has secured another five-year term after winning 52.14% of the vote in Sunday’s election, according to Ahmet Yener, the head of Turkey‘s Supreme Election Council. Erdogan‘s two-decade dominance over the country’s politics has given him an overly centralized power that experts believe he will continue to consolidate. His election victory raises ongoing concerns about Turkey‘s democracy and role in the world, as well as the fate of civil liberties, freedom of speech and treatment of minorities in the nation.

Divisive Campaign, Hyping Threats to Country’s Stability

Erdogan‘s win can be attributed to his successful hype of threats to the country’s stability such as the 2016 coup attempt and conflicts with Kurdish militants who attack Turkish security forces in the southeast, and the ongoing civil war in Syria. His religious, nationalist rhetoric made promises of making Turkey a global military and industrial power by, for example, introducing a Turkish-built electric car. This helped counter widespread dissatisfaction with the economic crisis that has seen high inflation and a weakened currency, largely from Erdogan‘s emphasis on maintaining low-interest rates.

Building an Electoral Base

Erdogan has endeared himself to Turkey‘s working-class people and religious conservatives for years. In the past, women who wore headscarves were banned from attending schools or working. Erdogan changed those laws, which continue to be supported by many conservative women in Turkey. His party’s nationalism also benefits from widespread memories of previous governments’ elitism.

Concentration of Power and Crackdown on Opposition

With Erdogan‘s victory come growing fears that Turkish democracy and civil liberties are in peril. He has been accused of centralizing power by stacking the judiciary, monopolizing the media, jailing perceived opponents – including journalists and critics on social media platforms – and allowing corruption to flourish. Additionally, there are concerns that Erdogan will name himself as the country’s all-powerful president with minimal opposition and that civil liberties and freedoms for minorities, specifically women and LGBTQ+ individuals, will further decline during his next five years in office.

A Polarizing Election Race

Erdogan also faced opposition from Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who ran an anti-refugee campaign and promised to send all Syrians back to Syria, one of his campaign’s most repeated slogans. This anti-refugee rhetoric led to a rise in discrimination, hateful attacks against refugees, and ultimately, strengthening Erdogan‘s support among millions of Syrian refugees living in Turkey.

Continued Transactionalism in Foreign Policy

Erdogan‘s stance on geopolitics has made it clear he favors Turkey‘s interests over Western or global alliances. He maintains close ties with Russia and has refused to participate in Western sanctions while supplying Ukraine with weapons. Erdogan has led Turkey to broker a deal with the United Nations to allow Ukrainian grain exports through a Russian blockade and may eventually approve Sweden’s membership to NATO, important for the West to counter Russia, in exchange for F16 fighter planes from the United States.

Conclusion

Erdogan‘s victory has implications not only for Turkey‘s democracy and people but also its standing and role in international and regional affairs. As Turkey continues to redefine its place in the world, it is imperative that it does not veer off the path of democratic principles and liberty. Erdogan must use his power to solidify Turkey‘s global role while maintaining human liberties and upholding civil rights. Unless these ideals are kept intact, Erdogan‘s victory could indeed become fateful to the nation’s democracy and future.