The vote as the last means of expression. Without a free press, without the possibility of demonstrating, despite thousands of political opponents in prison, the Turks were more than 85% to go to the polls for the two rounds of the presidential election, in this month of May 2023. “As they have no other means of democratic expression or valves to relieve pressure, the Turks see elections as the only way to express their opinions,” said Sibel Oktay, professor of international relations at the University of Illinois. . A majority, 52%, decided to renew Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
A president who plans to stay in power for life
The campaign was not free, with media muzzled and candidates impeded by the courts. But Erdogan remains popular. His nationalist discourse, his Islamism and his charisma seduce the conservative and religious electorate. His well-known figure reassures in the ambient chaos that he himself created. Whether it likes it or not, Europe will have to deal with this unpredictable president, who is already planning to modify the Constitution to stay in power until 2033.
Erdogan remains the master of Turkey, but Turkey is not Erdogan. This re-election is unscrewing the markets and the economic crisis will fall even harder on the daily life of the Turks, who have already survived with inflation at 105% for months. We cannot turn our backs on the 25 million citizens who voted against an autocrat. “These elections have seen a stunning and unexpected rise in Islamism and ultranationalism in Turkey, especially in the legislative elections, underlines Sibel Oktay. These results will have disastrous consequences for women in Turkey and for society as a whole. We are at a pivotal moment for Turkish democracy, but also and above all for the future of its social fabric.”
With this political defeat, thousands of Turkish opponents are already taking the road to exile, convinced that political power will deprive them of a future in freedom. Turkish civil society remains rich, dynamic and terribly alone. Let’s help her: let’s multiply partnerships, open up visas. Erdogan will continue to threaten Greece, to insult our heads of state, but as long as intellectuals, artists and courageous entrepreneurs can live in their country, Turkey will not be Russia, brutal and withdrawn. It is up to Europe not to isolate it.