What does NRC think | EU may not close its eyes for Erdogans attack on the rule of law

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been playing a dominant role in the Government Administration of Turkey for two decades, first as Prime Minister, later as president. Years in which his hard hand was never far away, although Turkey never became completely autocratic. The press, certainly the critical, had a hard time; Opposition parties had to suffer it; Human rights were hit by feet. Nevertheless, there was always something that looked like political competition. The opposition could also win elections, as happened locally in recent years. Now that Erdogan’s most important rival has been put behind bars, however, the country leans dangerously to autocracy.

Ekrem Imamoglu, the popular mayor of Istanbul (15.6 million inhabitants), would be formally designated by the largest opposition party CHP last Sunday to compete in the presidential election in 2028 against the candidate of the sitting AKP government, perhaps Erdogan himself. However, he was arrested for a few days before this internal party election, among other things because of alleged corruption. His university diploma was declared invalid. Without a diploma, the presidential elections cannot be participated.

It seems that the arrest is politically motivated. It is not for nothing that has been demonstrated in large parts of the country for days. Young Turks in particular feel flawlessly that this is more than just the fate of Imagoglu. They fear that it can be done at lightning speed with the little bit of freedom there was. Which certainly also plays a role: the economy is running poorly. The brutal response to the protests is significant for the course that Erdogan has now used. Last week hundreds of people were fixed, including journalists and citizens who had made their discontent known via social media.

Turkey has been participating in plenty of internationally for a while. The new Syrian government stems from a rebel movement that has been supported by Turkey for years. And now that Trump seems to have turned his back on NATO, European countries look extra at Turkey. The country is a NATO member, plays an important role in the defense industry with companies such as Baykar and has a large army that has the necessary operational experience. Although Turkey does not carry out sanctions against Russia, Ukraine supported in all sorts of ways in recent years, with the drones from Baykar to securing grain transports on the Black Sea. In recent weeks, Turkey also often moved to European consultation.

European policymakers will therefore take the hair out of the head over the exit that the country is now taking. The temptation not to say too much about it will be very large. In fact: that can already be seen. In Paris and especially in Berlin there was criticism, but otherwise it is quite quiet, also from the Dutch cabinet.

Saying nothing is not only undesirable, but also harmful in the long term. Earlier, Europe once closed its eyes for Putin’s autocratic behavior, so as not to jeopardize the gas supply, and it is now experiencing the consequences. With regard to Gaza, the eyes closed again, this time from historical guilt to Israel. A strategy that has cost the EU worldwide credibility and influence. And now that Trump is feeding the uncertainty in the world, it is important to stand right for freedom, democracy and rule of law, even if that is not so good.

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