Detailed Commentary on the Turkish Election from Former US Ambassador to Ankara
The presidential and parliamentary elections to be held on May 14 in Turkey are also closely watched in the US.
Former US Ambassador to Ankara David Satterfield answered questions from VOA Turkish about the electoral process in Turkey. Satterfield, who held the ambassador’s seat to Turkey from August 2019 until current ambassador Jeff Flake took office in January 2022, said “the most decisive election in the history of modern Turkey” will be held since 1950.
‘WILL AFFECT TURKEY’S REGIONAL POSITION’
“We believe that the Turks deserve to live in a fully developed democracy,” Satterfield said, adding: “These elections will determine the economic future of Turkey and the well-being of the Turkish people. It will also affect Turkey’s status both in the region and beyond, and its position as a NATO partner.”
Satterfield with CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu
Former Ambassador Satterfield said: “The level of political enthusiasm and participation in electoral processes in Turkey has always been extremely high, even by European standards. The Turks want to join the democratic institutions of their country and they do so despite the gradual steps taken in the last 10 years to restrict and distort these freedoms, these democratic institutions. I truly believe that the upcoming elections will yield a result that truly reflects the views of the Turkish people.”
Emphasis on DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
VOA Turkish “How do you see the situation of democracy and human rights in Turkey, especially in the context of the elections?” Satterfield responded to the question by drawing attention to the growing authoritarianism in the AKP government: “The US government has expressed concern about the growing authoritarianism in Turkey over the past 10 years, through the centralization of authority in all areas of public life, including the economy. We express our concern about the restrictions on participation in public life, freedom of expression and the ability of groups to organize. We have shared with other countries in the past our concern about the unjust imprisonment of important political figures. We believe that the Turks deserve to live in a fully developed democracy.”
“Turkey is a vital political partner of the United States. Do you think the S-400 and Syria issues will be resolved if they change the government and the president?” Satterfield said. He responded to the question as follows:
“Frankly, I think that the policy regarding foreign affairs related to Syria and the PKK will remain largely the same. As for the S-400, we are certainly hopeful that a solution can be found, and there are ways that this can be done in a way that meets the national needs of Turkey and those of the United States and NATO. However, I leave the decision on this issue to the current government or the new government to be established. It’s a little early to speculate on that.”