All eyes in the West are on Erdogan’s foreign policy: Status quo or change?
President Erdogan’s victory in the second round brought up the analysis of the new orientations of Turkey’s foreign policy in the Western press.
British public broadcaster BBC, in an article titled “What Erdogan’s victory means for the West,” claimed that congratulatory messages sent to Erdogan from around the world are a reflection of Turkey’s global strategic importance. The BBC wrote that Erdogan’s victory is not expected to bring about a major change in Turkish foreign policy, but the process in the country is being watched closely by the West.
Noting that US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron were among those who delivered congratulatory messages, British media said that while they do not like Erdogan’s relationship with Russia and his anti-democratic stance, Turkey is a difficult and unpredictable but very important issue for the West. leaders, he commented that he was an ally.
SWEDEN’S AFFILIATION TO NATO AND THE SYRIANS
Noting that Erdogan may maintain close relations with Russia, the BBC also claimed that the West’s main expectation of Turkey is to approve Sweden’s NATO membership.
Noting that the EU, and especially Macron, expect guarantees from Erdogan to prevent illegal immigration to Europe, the BBC noted that the growing number of Syrian refugees is not welcome in Turkey. It was also emphasized that the tension between Türkiye and Greece is on Europe’s agenda.
Time magazine, on the other hand, claimed that many wondered what Erdogan’s victory means for Turkey and the world. Speaking to the magazine, Galip Dalay of London-based think tank Chatham House said the election result signifies “the continuation of the current order.” On the other hand, Dalay also stated that he hopes that Turkey will finally approve Sweden’s membership in NATO.
‘THEY CAN INCREASE THE PRESSURE MORE’
Author Gönül Tol, on the other hand, noted that Erdogan is not expected to change direction in domestic politics in the next 5 years, saying: “When autocrats face a shaky domestic agenda, they turn up the pressure even more. We are reaching the point where Turkey will become a country where elections are meaningless,” he said. “Is the West ready for a more authoritarian Türkiye?” When Tol was asked, he also stressed that the West can show tolerance towards Erdogan as long as it keeps the Syrians in Turkey.
In the article, it was stated that the result is also in the interest of Syrians in Turkey and that Erdogan has plans for the voluntary return of Syrians to their countries.
‘RELIEF FOR THE WEST’
The British newspaper The Guardian, on the other hand, commented that the West “was caught between fear and hope” after Erdogan won the election.
Noting that Western countries are concerned about Turkey’s estrangement from the secular and liberal West, but hope Erdogan will be persuaded because he cannot run for re-election, The Guardian also noted that Erdogan’s victory in the election brought relief to the West. . especially with regard to Syrian immigrants.