Turkiye (Brussels Morning) After decades of negotiation, reform, and candidacy since 1999, Turkiye’s path to EU membership has become almost a punchline. What once symbolized a democratic journey toward Europe’s liberal order now stands as a distant memory. Just weeks before the 102nd anniversary of the Republic, Turkiye finds itself torn between the ideals of its founding and the realities of authoritarian drift.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s vision embedded the Republic within a modern political trajectory, grounded primarily in parliamentary democracy. Yet two decades of Justice and Development Party (AKP) rule have eroded that foundation. A government that once marketed itself as a “Muslim democracy” now finds comfort among autocrats. Peaceful dissent is criminalized, the press is silenced, and even the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) are defied. In a country that once aspired to the Copenhagen criteria, equality before the law survives only as an inscription in the constitution, not a principle in practice.
Turkiye’s democratic backsliding is now structural. The judiciary serves political power, and institutions once modeled after European systems have been emptied of meaning. Opposition figures face prosecution under vague “terror” and “insult” laws, while courts openly ignore binding ECHR judgments. These developments have not only dismantled the separation of powers but also placed Turkiye in open contradiction with the European legal order it once sought to join. Today in Turkiye, a member of parliament remains behind bars despite being duly elected, and two other victims are still imprisoned in defiance of ECHR rulings.
The EU’s Strategic Paralysis: Values vs. Geopolitics
This deepening divergence has exposed a painful paradox for the European Union itself. Brussels finds itself paralyzed between its geopolitical imperatives and its normative commitments. On one hand, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and renewed instability in the Middle East have elevated Turkiye’s strategic importance within NATO. On the other, Ankara’s domestic authoritarianism — intensified by the mass arrests of mayors, the suppression of civil society, and the judicial persecution of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) — stands in open defiance of the Copenhagen criteria.
The EU’s hesitation, swinging between cautious engagement and moral hesitation, reveals a union torn between defending its foundational values and preserving its geopolitical foothold on the Bosphorus. This paralysis corrodes the EU’s credibility as a normative power and risks sending a dangerous message: that autocracy can be tolerated when it serves strategic convenience.
Ankara’s defiance of European norms — from ignoring ECHR rulings to dismantling judicial independence — directly challenges the EU’s identity as a “normative power.” Still, Brussels hesitates. It fears losing influence over a crucial partner, yet by tolerating autocracy, it erodes its own credibility. The message this sends is corrosive: democracy is optional if you control trade routes or refugee flows.
The EU cannot claim leadership in defending the rule of law abroad while remaining paralyzed before a member of the Council of Europe that openly rejects it. Each act of silence weakens Europe’s moral authority, not just in Ankara.
Opposition Resilience and Why Europe Cannot Look Away
Despite repression, the opposition in Turkiye has shown that renewal is possible. Under Ozgur Ozel’s leadership, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) has evolved into a dynamic, inclusive force emphasizing youth, gender equality, and data-driven governance. The 2024 local elections marked a historic shift: CHP-led municipalities now govern 62 percent of the population, generate nearly three-quarters of national GDP, and produce 80 percent of Turkiye’s exports — much of which flow to the European Union under the customs union.
Yet this success has come at a severe cost. Seventeen CHP mayors, including Istanbul’s Ekrem Imamoglu, have been jailed alongside hundreds of officials, aides, and even family members. Their persecution violates not only domestic law but also the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights and the principle of local self-government enshrined in European treaties. The European Union’s passivity emboldens such abuses, signaling that democratic decay will be tolerated so long as strategic interests remain intact.
If the opposition in Turkiye is dismantled, the consequences will not remain confined within our borders. Crackdowns and efforts to silence dissent risk deepening polarization and fueling social friction, creating instability that will only intensify over time. An unstable Turkiye cannot perform at its optimal potential and risks becoming counterproductive to the very values of the transatlantic alliance. Instability here would not remain local: it would spill over into NATO’s cohesion, migration flows into Europe, and security dynamics across the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.
European capitals must recognize that Turkiye is not defined by one party or single leader. Turkiye belongs to all its citizens. There is a vibrant opposition, committed to democratic values, striving to restore Turkiye as a prosperous, peaceful, and dependable partner. It is more than a bargaining chip in geopolitical games, migration negotiations, or the crafting of commercial deals. It is a Republic built on universal principles and defended by generations who refused to surrender. The message from the opposition is clear: we will never, never, never give up.
Dear reader,
Opinions expressed in the op-ed section are solely those of the individual author and do not represent the official stance of our newspaper. We believe in providing a platform for a wide range of voices and perspectives, even those that may challenge or differ from our own. We remain committed to providing our readers with high-quality, fair, and balanced journalism. Thank you for your continued support.
