Skip to main content

AKP claims God is on its side

Liberals and others should be concerned about AKP rhetoric proclaiming that God, the nation and history is on its side and that a vote for an opposing party is the mark of an infidel.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu addresses AK Party' supporters during an election rally for Turkey's June 7 parliamentary elections in Istanbul, Turkey, May 17, 2015.   REUTERS/Osman Orsal - RTX1DC5K
Read in 

In the run-up to the June 7 general elections, Turkey's political scene has become tense and loud. The opposition parties are doing their best to advance their campaigns, and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is especially doing well, in part thanks to the unlimited state resources at its disposal. Meanwhile, the AKP's political narrative, which in the party's earlier years was embracing and cheerful, has become increasingly divisive and strident.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu recently presented an interesting example of this latter-day AKP narrative. In a speech to supporters in Denizli province and in other instances, he proclaimed, "God, the nation and history are with us." This trilogy, although admittedly poetic, is also emblematic of why and how the AKP narrative has gone wrong, at least from a liberal perspective.

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.