Elections in Turkey

Yesterday there were national elections in Turkey and the Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and his Justice and Development Party (the AKP) won 50% of the votes.  This sustains Mr Erdogan's hold on power since his party gained power in 2002.

Turkey is important in international affairs, given its position on the hinge between Europe and Asia and close to Africa.  It is a booming economy, growing at 8.9% last year, and it is an example of democratic elections working in a Muslim nation.  The Government does tend to be authoritarian and in the past the military has stepped in based on its concept of itself as the guarantor of the Constitution.  Europe, which had a chance to embrace Turkey as a European nation (Istanbul is on the European side of the Bosphorus), has muffed that opportunity, perhaps to the detriment of all of us.

Not all nations see government the same way.  There is the French motto of Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, or Liberty , Equality , Fraternity (brotherhood).  For Turkey's AKP the phrasing is slightly different, as an article in today's International Harold Tribune shows:

“Our nation delivered to us a call for consensus and dialogue in making this new constitution,” Mr. Erdogan said. “This constitution will be established upon brotherhood, support, sharing, unity and togetherness.”

I didn't see "Liberty" in there, nor did I see "Equality", although "Sharing" may well be the same thing.  I do wonder if in some parts of the world the working out of democracy may mean emphasises different from those in the Western model of government.

Turkey has worked well with the US in the past.  What is to be seen is how Turkey will work with the US, and with Europe, in the future.  The sailing, once again of the Mavi Marmara, a ship with Turkish ownership, as part of the flotilla that will challenge the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, is an indication of a change in Turkish foreign policy direction.  In the past Turkey worked well with Israel.  Now not so much.  Is this an indication of other changes in direction or just a closer alignment with Europe?

Regards  —  Cliff