Turn to Ataturk may be enough to re-elect Erdogan

Subject

Erdogan’s unexpected about-turn on Ataturk.

Significance

On this year’s anniversary of Ataturk’s death on November 10, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan surprised the Turkish public with a declaration that his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) would not allow “fascist Marxist parties” or the opposition to monopolise Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Turkey’s ultra-secularist founder and national hero. His words were followed by a rash of declarations from other AKP senior figures of their regard for Ataturk. It appears to be an attempt to win wider support for the AKP.

Impacts

• The AKP is not going to abandon its policy of re-Islamising Turkish society.
• Yet at the same time it will not push for formally dropping secularism.
• Ataturk’s anti-imperialist themes will be mobilised in Turkey’s disagreements with Europe.