Skip to main content

Erdogan’s path of 'illiberal democracy'

To understand where Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is taking Turkey, look to Latin America.
Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (C), his wife Emine Erdogan and Deputy Chairman of AK Party (AKP) Mehmet Ali Sahin attend a meeting where he is named as his party's candidate for the country's first direct presidential election in Ankara July 1, 2014. Tayyip Erdogan declared his candidacy on Tuesday for a more powerful presidency which rivals fear may entrench authoritarian rule and supporters, especially conservative Muslims, see as the crowning prize in his drive to reshape NATO member Turkey. REUT

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his candidacy for the presidency with an impressive address to some 4,000 supporters in a large hall in Ankara. He began with a long prayer, followed by a lengthy account of the oppression of Turkey’s religiously conservative masses, whom he ultimately liberated. Erdogan called himself a mere mortal who serves a larger “cause,” whose previous leaders included Selahaddin Eyyubi, the great Islamic commander from the 12th century, and the founders of the Seljuk and Ottoman empires.

The audience enthusiastically applauded and cheered. A song's repetition of “Recep, Tayyip, Erdogan” filled the air, leaving many in tears. At the center of all this attention stood Erdogan, the only basis of authority, the only source of power.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.