Erdogan set for 2028 rule extension after defying opposition in Turkey election

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reinforced his reputation as a political survivor after a robust showing in the country’s recent elections, setting the stage for him to extend his tenure as Turkey’s longest-serving leader. At 69 years old, Erdogan has already weathered jail, mass protests, and a violent 2016 coup attempt, but this year’s election seemed to be a challenge even for him.

An exceptional opposition coalition, fueled by an economic crisis and anger over a disastrous earthquake in February, had high expectations of removing him from power. However, even at one of Erdogan’s weakest moments, he managed to secure 49.5% of the first-round votes, leaving him well-positioned to extend his two-decade rule until 2028.

Erdogan is both a transformative and divisive figure, admired for lifting religious restrictions, overseeing ambitious infrastructure projects, and transforming Turkey into a geopolitical powerhouse. Critics accuse him of drifting towards authoritarianism, undermining Turkey’s democratic foundations, and impoverishing millions through misguided economic policies.

Three months before the May 14 elections, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed over 50,000 people and left Erdogan’s government vulnerable as Turks expressed anger at the state’s slow response. However, even this disaster failed to prevent voters from supporting him.

Erdogan’s relentless campaigning has helped him and his party win a series of local and national elections, allowing him to claim a people’s mandate for his foreign military ventures and domestic crackdowns on dissent. In 2017, Erdogan risked his political dominance by holding a referendum on abolishing the office of prime minister and granting greater powers to the president. Despite a narrow victory, it weakened parliament and allowed him to effectively rule by decree.

Erdogan’s early accomplishments included a series of EU-pleasing reforms, such as abolishing the death penalty and initiating a peace process with Kurdish militants. However, mass protests in 2013 over plans to convert an Istanbul park into a shopping mall marked the beginning of a more divisive era, including corruption allegations against his inner circle.

Erdogan blamed Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen for orchestrating a bloody coup attempt by a rogue army faction in July 2016, charges Gulen denies. Erdogan’s response included sweeping purges, leading to 80,000 arrests, increased government control over the media, and a sense of impending danger among his opponents.

Unconventional economic policies, including lowering interest rates to combat soaring inflation, harmed many ordinary Turks as the lira slumped and bills increased. Critics accused him of turning a blind eye to corruption and lax building standards that contributed to the devastation caused by this year’s earthquake.

Despite the widespread loss and anger, Erdogan’s popularity held up in parts of southeastern Turkey affected by the disaster, demonstrating the loyal support base he has built up over two decades, reported Bangkok Post.