Brussels Sprouts
Turkey’s Democratic Downturn
Mar 26, 2025
Join Soner Çağaptay, a Turkish politics expert at the Washington Institute, and Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, a Brookings fellow on Turkish affairs, as they dive into Turkey's turbulent political landscape. They discuss the recent arrests of opposition leaders and the implications for democracy. The guests highlight Turkey's strategic ambitions amidst economic challenges and its crucial role in European geopolitics, especially regarding the Ukraine conflict. Expect gripping insights on the evolving political dynamics and the potential for grassroots movements in Turkey.
52:11
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Quick takeaways
- The arrest of opposition leaders like Ekrem İmamoğlu highlights Turkey's alarming shift from competitive authoritarianism to outright authoritarianism under Erdoğan's regime.
- Turkey's strategic geopolitical maneuvers in Europe and Ukraine serve to divert attention from its internal political repression and consolidate Erdoğan's power.
Deep dives
Erdogan's Crackdown and Political Landscape
The Turkish government's recent actions against opposition leaders indicate a significant crackdown on democracy under President Erdogan. The arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and leader of the largest opposition party, has triggered mass protests, with thousands of arrests across Turkey. Imamoglu's popularity, particularly among younger voters and diverse political factions, poses a threat to Erdogan's authority, leading to a rapid escalation of repression. The situation reflects a shift from competitive authoritarianism to outright authoritarianism, as Erdogan seeks to neutralize any viable opponents before the upcoming elections.
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