ERDOGAN'S TURKEY

Turkey under Erdogan is really more affluent, but less free. Erdogan is the victor, but is not yet almighty. Erdogan's main challenge, in this regard, will not be the frail and ineffective parliamentary opposition, but rather the future leadership of his own party. To continue to be involved in daily politics, he will need, however, to represent the country he leads. Turkish life has been coarsened by xenophobic and sectarian language, but if Erdogan is to serve as president of all Turks, he must show sensitivity to other voters, especially in the cities of the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, who are not social or erligious conservatives and who cherish values such as freedom of speech and the rule of law. Meanwhile, a slowing economy and the geopolitical risks in Iraq-Syria ought to give Erdogan pause. The Erdogan's paradox is now to become the first directly elected president of Turkey and to be free to brush aside his critics and remake the republic in his own image, even if it may not be quite that easy to get his way. He would also like a warmer climate in relations with USA and EU. Erdogan has won a healthy mandate from voters. His responsability now is to preside with a cool head in uncertain times.
Casalino Pierluigi, on August 24th, 2014