EU Confidential Erdoğan, not Trump, is Europe's new best friend on security
Mar 28, 2025
Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, a Brookings Institution fellow and Turkish politics expert, discusses the political upheaval following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor and Europe's muted response to Erdoğan’s authoritarian shift. She analyzes Turkey's growing significance for European security amid democratic concerns. Meanwhile, sustainability reporter Marianne Gros highlights crucial EU policy changes targeting food and textile waste, agriculture challenges, and strategies for local medicine production, revealing a proactive approach to pressing environmental and health issues.
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Imamoglu's Significance
- Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, is a significant political rival to President Erdoğan.
- His broad coalition and popularity pose a threat to Erdoğan's power.
Geopolitical Context
- Erdoğan's crackdown on Imamoglu coincides with geopolitical anxieties.
- Europe and the US prioritize engagement with Turkey over human rights.
European Response
- Despite the crackdown, Erdoğan's relationship with European leaders seems to be improving.
- He's being invited to calls and meetings, highlighting Turkey's strategic importance.