In a region where democracy is scarce, it just got scarcer — with Turkish strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan claiming victory in last weekend’s presidential election and vowing to “rapidly” usher in a new era of presidential authoritarian rule.
Turks will suffer. Since a 2016 coup attempt, Erdogan has operated under a state of emergency, jailing journalists, political foes and members of the military. One of his foes, Selahattin Demirtas, of the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party, had to campaign while behind bars.
The new system gives Erdogan even more control of the judiciary and the ability to issue decrees with limited oversight.
“A single person is becoming the head of the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, and this is a concern for a threat to the survival of the country,” warned challenger Muharrem Ince of the secular Republican People’s Party. “Turkey has departed from democratic values.”
At stake are basic freedoms, the country’s secular tradition and its shaky economy. The damage may also cross Turkey’s border. Turkey has been cracking down on US-allied Syrian Kurds, cozying up to Russia and acting increasingly hostile toward the US.
With the region reeling from Syria’s civil war, terrorism and Iranian mischief, the notion of an emboldened Erdogan is scary.
All’s not lost: As the election showed, Turkey’s opposition still lives, with critics, like Ince, fighting to restore democratic rule. Keep your fingers crossed.