In this episode of La Loupe, Charlotte Baris assesses the possibilities of a political alternation in Turkey with Corentin Pennarguard, journalist for the World service of L’Express.
Listen to this episode and subscribe to La Loupe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict And Amazon Music.
The team: Charlotte Baris (presentation), Mathias Penguilly (writing and editing) and Jules Krot (directing).
Credits: BFM TV, France 2, France 24, I-Tele, TV5 Monde
Music and dressing: Emmanuel Herschon/Studio Torrent
Picture credits: Adem ALTAN/AFP
Logo: Anne-Laure Chapelain/Benjamin Chazal
How to listen to a podcast? Follow the leader.
Charlotte Barris: There are those who kiss each other modestly, those who display almost smug smiles and those who hug each other while shouting. Some wave large flags or sing the Turkish national anthem… In a restaurant in Istanbul, people in their sixties clink glasses and jump for joy… while young people scream their happiness.
All these scenes of jubilation did not actually take place, but they are represented in the latest advertisement for the Yeni Raki brand – which produces an aniseed brandy… Two minutes of smiles and hugs worthy of a Coca-Cola spot… And this slogan, repeated several times: “how will you celebrate when the day comes…”
Officially, “the day” in question is October 29, 2023, the date of the centenary of the Republic of Turkey. And yet… One sentence casts doubt:
Excerpt from the ad: “Böyle kutlayacağız. Birbirimize sarıldık, yeniden başlayacağız“
Charlotte Barris:When the day comes, we will hug each other… and we will move on.” And if in fact, Yeni Raki was preparing to celebrate the end of the reign of Recep Tayyip Erdogan? In any case, this is the hypothesis of many Turkish Internet users who are massively sharing this advertisement which has gone viral.Because this Sunday, May 14, the Turkish President is seeking a third consecutive mandate… And in 20 years of an increasingly authoritarian reign, Erdogan has never been so threatened.
A part of Turkey therefore seems ready to turn a page in its political history… But still it is necessary that in case of defeat the outgoing president agrees to pass the baton…
For further
PODCAST. The end of Erdogan (and after)
Erdogan, the turning point: all-powerful autocrat, candidate on the edge of the abyss
Erdogan, the turning point: the dark scenarios of the presidential election
Erdogan, the turning point: imagining a Türkiye without its all-powerful leader
Erdogan-Putin, the pact of autocrats
Turkey: Erdogan still in pursuit of Atatürk’s glory