Turkey elections: Erdogan’s win highlights political fault lines – Middle East Eye
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan easily won Sundays run-off election, capturing 52 percent of the vote to rival Kemal Kilicdaroglus 48 percent. The outcome gives Erdogan, who has been president for the past decade, another five-year mandate.
Although polls had initially suggested that he risked losing in the first round because of anti-Erdoganism, the unification of opposition groups, economic problems, and Kurdish votes. The result was ultimately determined by Turkeys political fault lines and Erdogans strong leadership.
The early political concepts of Ottomanism, Turkism, and Islamism can help in understanding these dynamics.
Yusuf Akcuras 1904 treatise Three Kinds of Policy - a classic of Turkish political literature, comparable to The Communist Manifesto for communism in terms of its impact on the development of Turkism - put forward the concept of Turkism as an alternative to Ottomanism and Islamism for the salvation of Ottoman Empire.
The policy of Ottomanism pursued by Mahmud II and the Young Ottomans during the 19th century proved unsuccessful due to the emergence of nationalist and independent movements among non-Muslim groups alongside the growing demographic dominance of the Muslim population within the empire.
As a result, Abdul Hamid II adopted an Islamic policy aimed at strengthening the Ottoman Caliphates role in the empire. Akcura maintained that this policy would fail, and the only way forward was through Turkism. Turkish nationalist ideas especially took root after the founding of modern Turkey in 1923.
Akcuras ideas heavily affected the establishment of modern Turkey and he also played an active role in the country as a politician and intellectual.
His core arguments have transcended their era and remain relevant to contemporary developments, even shaping the outcomes of elections.
While Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), did not explicitly convey a sense of failure in his election-night speech, there will likely be consequences for his loss.
The support he has received from political groups that would otherwise not align themselves with Kilicdaroglus ideology and that was offered simply on the basis of their anti-Erdoganism, may not be sustainable in the long run. This coalition will struggle to maintain cohesion and continuity in its objectives beyond the election.
Under Kilicdaroglus leadership, the CHP has transformed from being fiercely secular and nationalistic to more inclusive and liberal - a modern-day equivalent of Ottomanism, advocating the notion of equal citizenship for all groups. This has found widespread acceptance among minority communities, Kurds, and left-wing and liberal political actors.
It will be crucial in the years ahead to explore how Erdogan's strong leadership will be replaced within the conservative political tradition
Kilicdaroglu sustained the nationalistic roots of the CHP by building a coalition with the right-wing Good Party under the banner of the Nation Alliance. In the 2019 municipal elections, the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) tacitly supported this alliance and helped the CHP to win in two major cities, Istanbul and Ankara, beating the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Kilicdaroglu also managed to enlarge the Nation Alliance with conservative parties in the context of helallesme (reconciliation), amid discriminatory and aggressive secularist state practices, such as the headscarf ban.
But some of his policies, along with Kilicdaroglus close relations with the HDP, have raised concerns among nationalists.
To avoid the same fate as Mahmud II, who was accused of being an infidel sultan because of his modernist and Ottomanist practices, Kilicdaroglu pivoted towards a hardline nationalistic discourse in the second round of voting.
This had an interesting result, as both the ultra-nationalist Victory Party and the HDP together supported Kilicdaroglus candidacy.
However, his support in Kurdish-populated areas decreased in the second round. The Nation Alliance now faces a significant crisis, amid a conflict between secular nationalists and leftists that could have significant implications for the upcoming 2024 municipal elections.
On Sunday night, Erdogan delivered a victory speech. Yet while observers have often commented in the past on the inclusiveness and conciliatory tone of his speeches, he took a different approach this time, blasting the opposition.
He took particular aim at the HDPs support for Kilicdaroglu.
His intention is to disrupt the harmony of the Nation Alliance - a discourse that will likely continue in the lead-up to next years municipal elections when the AKP will hope to retake Ankara and Istanbul.
Turkey elections: Erdogan defeats Kilicdaroglu and secures five more years in power
When Erdogan came to power as prime minister in 2003, despite his strong leadership in conservatism, he also initiated liberal processes such as EU integration, enhancing minority rights, and peace talks with Kurdish groups.
But after Erdogan in 2015 failed to secure a parliamentary majority, the move towards a heavily centralised presidential system began, along with an alliance with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and liberal discourse faded.
At the same time, tensions between conservatism and nationalism have remained significant on issues such as abolishing the nationalist oath for students, and the presence of pro-Kurdish Huda-Par candidates on AKP lists. The lack of strong leadership has led to fragmentation within the Turkish nationalist movement, which has struggled to gain equal representation in a parliament that favours unified groups. While the MHP, Good Party, Great Unity Party and Victory Party received more than 23 percent of the vote on Sunday, their representation in parliament has fallen to around 15 percent of seats.
Kilicdaroglus adoption of nationalist rhetoric in the second round of elections reduced both the participation and support of Kurds.
The fact that the HDP cannot clearly sever its ties with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is recognised as a terrorist group, puts the Nation Alliance in an even more difficult position. It brings into question the future of the alliance and creates an atmosphere of uncertainty for the upcoming municipal elections.
Meanwhile, Erdogan has maintained his position as the main representative of conservatives in Turkey.
Yet, considering that this will be his last term as president, it will be crucial in the years ahead to explore how his strong leadership will be replaced within the conservative political tradition.
The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
Read more:
Turkey elections: Erdogan's win highlights political fault lines - Middle East Eye
- Florida Governor DeSantis signs new law mandating teaching the evils of communism to children as young as five - WSWS - May 1st, 2024 [May 1st, 2024]
- Trump, Biden, communism and more: Letters to the Editor, April 28, 2024 - Florida Today - May 1st, 2024 [May 1st, 2024]
- Communists to run in Karl Marx hometown's election - In Defense of Communism - May 1st, 2024 [May 1st, 2024]
- Slow Down. How Degrowth Communism Can Save the Earth book review - Counterfire - May 1st, 2024 [May 1st, 2024]
- Ron DeSantis wants to teach young people about communism. He should use rock n roll - Washington Examiner - May 1st, 2024 [May 1st, 2024]
- A Survivor of the Cultural Revolution Reviews New Book, 'The Devil and Communist China' - The Stream - May 1st, 2024 [May 1st, 2024]
- European Communist Action: Long live the 1st of May Long live socialism! - In Defense of Communism - May 1st, 2024 [May 1st, 2024]
- Florida children to learn that communism is evil, slavery a skills training program - The South Florida Times - May 1st, 2024 [May 1st, 2024]
- 'Unbridled Agenda of Communism or Socialism, Not in the Constitution Today': SC - ETV Bharat - May 1st, 2024 [May 1st, 2024]
- Pol Pot's Atrocities Still Matter, 45 Years After Khmer Rouge's Fall - Reason - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
- Taiwan election: victory in the face of Chinese communism as country gears up for 'fair election' - GB News - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
- Lenin lives! Join the communists to celebrate his life and ideas! - Socialist Appeal - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
- Goodbye Socialist Appeal The Communist is coming! - Socialist Appeal - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
- Xi Jinpings once-unquestioned authority is showing cracks - The Hill - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
- UK told to 'wake up' to Poland crisis with Donald Tusk 'turning back clock to communism' - Express - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
- The Reality of CommunismWhat Is Social Democracy and Why Is It a Capitalist Dictatorship? - revcom.us - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
- Why Did the Berlin Wall Fall? - The Imaginative Conservative - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- 1947 and now - The Interpreter - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- Albania's deal with Italy on migrants has been welcomed by many ... - Las Vegas Sun - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- Grothman's Bipartisan Hmong New Year Resolution | U.S. ... - Glenn Grothman - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- Another View: DeSantis was strong, Haley was sharp, Ramaswamy ... - Press Herald - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- Communism in Britain: The unbroken thread - Socialist Appeal - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- November 7 as Victims of Communism Day - 2023 - Reason - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- The Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Fate of the West - Breakpoint - BreakPoint.org - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- Cruzs new book Unwoke shows readers how to defeat cultural ... - 1330 WFIN - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- The aftermath of the Velvet Revolution was justice delivered? - Radio Prague International - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- Remember, Remember, the 9th of November - The Imaginative Conservative - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- Country Road Chronicles: Communist camp in Westerly in the '30s - The Westerly Sun - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- The Russian Revolution: The greatest event in history - Socialist Appeal - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- What Happened to the ACLU by Helen Andrews | Articles - First Things - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- Open Forum: Thinking of Donald Trump after Tuesday's election - The Winchester Star - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- Was the USSR Socialist?: an Interview with Alexander Nogovishchev - Lefteast - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- Remembrance Day: the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - Fairfaxtimes.com - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- New York Man Sentenced on Felony Assault Charge for Actions ... - Department of Justice - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- U.S. Rep. Grothman: Bipartisan Hmong New Year resolution - WisPolitics.com - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- 'Nazigate' Has Been Quickly Forgotten, But Scholars Warn Its ... - The Maple - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- Defining the US-China cold war - - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- Green Township voters remove 5 officials who support Gotion ... - FOX 17 West Michigan News - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- Louisiana's 'In God We Trust' law tests limits of religion in public ... - American Press - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- Czechast with Irena Kalhousov, Director of the Herzl Center for ... - Radio Prague International - November 11th, 2023 [November 11th, 2023]
- Letter to the editor: We mustn't forget communism's many victims - Bozeman Daily Chronicle - October 19th, 2023 [October 19th, 2023]
- Writing triumphed over 'hell of communism', says Albania's Kadare - Yahoo News - October 19th, 2023 [October 19th, 2023]
- Opinion Showing anti-communism the red card - Morning Star Online - October 19th, 2023 [October 19th, 2023]
- Letter to the Editor: The Minnesota Daily is against communists ... - Minnesota Daily - October 19th, 2023 [October 19th, 2023]
- Long before the Kentucky legislature waged war on 'woke,' it ... - The Hastings Tribune - October 19th, 2023 [October 19th, 2023]
- All the traditions lost after the Communists entered Beijing The China Project - The China Project - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Communism, the youth, and the fight for revolution - Socialist Appeal - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Salazar, 27 GOP cosponsors offer bill to educate students about ... - Ripon Advance - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Head of Zeus seizes history of communism by broadcaster and ... - The Bookseller - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Death threats, communism claims swirl around EV battery project - Automotive News - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- The New Useful Idiots - Shield of the Republic - The Bulwark - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Rift in Samastha over stand towards CPM - Times of India - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- South Korean president's anti-communist taunts are opening up ... - The Conversation - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Argentine priests celebrate reparation Mass after presidential ... - America: The Jesuit Review - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Oppenheimer: communism, McCarthyism, and the bomb | United ... - In Defence of Marxism - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- When teachers have more say than parents, communism has arrived - Hernando Sun - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- 130 years of Mayakovsky: Art, communism, and revolution - Socialist Appeal - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- Captive Nations Week Marked for First Time in Ukraine - Jamestown - The Jamestown Foundation - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- What Was the Marshall Plan? - The Collector - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- Politics of the Rift: On Thorie Communiste - Notes - E-Flux - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- The return of EU enlargement | The Strategist - The Strategist - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- Putin's holy war on Ukraine - UnHerd - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- The zing zazz factor in a slogan - RNZ - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- Family who carried Sacred Heart statue were carried by Sacred ... - Catholic Diocese of Lincoln - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- Risk and Revolution | Wen Stephenson - The Baffler - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- Victims of Communism, Victims of Modernism - Heritage.org - June 7th, 2023 [June 7th, 2023]
- Communism: FIU event discusses Soviet influence in Cuba and the ... - PantherNOW - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
- Nuclear communism: Lukashenka offers 'nukes for everyone' - TVP World - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
- Georgi Gospodinov and Angela Rodel win International Booker ... - NPR - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
- The China Dragon Roars Back Whether the US Likes It or Not - KCRW - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
- EU, US might not be best digital ID models, but they can help African ... - Biometric Update - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
- Opinion: Young Canadians should learn about the Polish ... - The Hub - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
- Gig Line: Memorial Day - The Coastland Times | The Coastland Times - The Coastland Times - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
- What's on? 10 top TV and streaming tips for Wednesday - RTE.ie - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
- Putin Wants You to Think He's an Anti-Woke Crusader - Foreign Policy - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
- Is History Written by the Winners? - History Today - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
- The AI Capitalists Don't Realize They're About To Kill Capitalism - Worldcrunch - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Alaska House follows Senate to pass bill authorizing sale of carbon ... - Alaska Beacon - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Victims of Communism Day - 2023 - Reason - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- A Case Of Communism, Incompetence And Politics? - Walterboro Live - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]