President Erdoğan’s jailing of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, signals a dangerous shift towards full authoritarianism in Turkey. The situation suggests that future elections will lack legitimacy, marking Turkey’s alignment with other autocratic states. Erdoğan’s consolidation of power and repression of dissent further threaten the foundation of Turkish democracy, amidst a global backdrop increasingly featuring authoritarian tendencies.
Turkey is experiencing a significant authoritarian shift under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, marked by the imprisonment of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu. İmamoğlu, a leading contender for the 2028 presidential elections, is perceived as Erdoğan’s strongest rival. This pivotal moment highlights Turkey’s transition towards full autocracy, eliminating previously existing electoral legitimacy.
Since transitioning to a one-man regime in 2017, Turkey has functioned under a veneer of democracy, even as parliament’s relevance diminished. The recent judicial actions against İmamoğlu indicate a grim future where elections will become mere performances, aligning Turkey with authoritarian regimes in Belarus, Russia, and Venezuela.
Erdoğan’s vision centers around a unified society structured by political Islam, stifling dissent. His previous two decades involved purging former regime supporters and manipulating judicial frameworks to frame himself as a pro-democracy leader. His alliance with Western governments was maintained through legal reforms, though, after consolidating his power, he turned against former allies in the Gülen movement.
The 2013 Gezi Park protests marked a stark change in Erdoğan’s tactics. While initially adopting a conciliatory approach, his response to dissent evolved into a polarizing strategy, exacerbating societal divisions. Following the coup attempt in 2016, Erdoğan utilized the opportunity to fundamentally overhaul Turkey’s public administration, leading to widespread arrests and dismissals under a prolonged state of emergency.
The legal Kurdish political movement, represented by the HDP, faced severe repression, with its leaders imprisoned alongside many Kurds. The government further consolidated power by replacing elected officials with appointed trustees and allied with the far-right MHP, further distancing Turkey from Western political norms including NATO ties.
In the wake of local electoral defeats, political figures like İmamoğlu and Ankara mayor Mansur Yavaş emerged as significant challengers. Ultimately, Erdoğan’s removal of İmamoğlu underscores a commitment to ensuring his political survival at all costs, echoing authoritarian tactics employed by global leaders like Putin and Maduro.
The implications of İmamoğlu’s imprisonment signal a broader crackdown on opposing voices, including journalists and artists, as Erdoğan strives for a singular Islamic vision of Turkey. In an increasingly authoritarian global landscape, Erdoğan’s ambitions appear unchecked, heralding an era where democratic competition may rapidly wan.
In summary, Turkey, under President Erdoğan, is descending into outright authoritarianism, as evidenced by the imprisonment of opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu. This development marks a departure from democratic pretense, suggesting that future elections will lack true competitiveness. The elimination of dissenting voices, including key opposition figures and societal opponents, indicates Erdoğan’s intent to solidify his power in a rapidly changing global political environment dominated by authoritarian leaders. As Turkey faces a daunting future, the façade of democracy may soon dissolve entirely.
Original Source: jacobin.com
