GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

A Summer of Discontent Awaits Turkey

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Sinan Ciddi
Board of Contributors

May 3, 2019 | 16:42 GMT

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a campaign rally for the ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara on March 28, 2019.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a campaign rally for the ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara on March 28. Divisions within the party have become apparent since it lost several key municipal elections on March 31.

(ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Highlights

  • There are signs of divisions within Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party as it debates how to react to the defeats it suffered in municipal elections on March 31 and whether President Recep Tayyip Erdogan should soften his authoritarian tactics.
  • Meanwhile, Erdogan's questionable foreign policy and security choices are increasing the possibility of sanctions and a rupture with the United States and NATO.
  • The more Erdogan tries to stiffen his hard-line posture at home and abroad, the more he will struggle to maintain a perception of competence with Turkish citizens who are looking for a leader to choose societal interests over those of power and party.

Although Turkey's local elections may be over, defeats suffered by the governing Justice and Development Party clearly show weakening confidence on the part of voters toward both the party and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Sensing these weaknesses, divisions within the ruling party are emerging as Erdogan grapples with how to consolidate his base of power domestically, as well as contemplates how to overcome pressing economic and foreign policy concerns....

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