Turkey: Erdogan chooses the dark side

Turkey’s celebrated founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s triumphant return to Ankara in 1921, when he forced the Greeks to retreat after the Battle of Sakarya, earned him the Ottoman title of Ghazi. It was a battle that marked a turning point in Turkey’s war of independence. And Atatürk emerged as the Mandela-like saviour of the Turkish nation.

Prime minister Recep Erdogan’s return to Istanbul on the weekend, after a coup attempt failed to topple his government, was of an altogether different hue.

The failed coup, organised by some in the military, was immediately criticised across the board — even by his political opponents. Still, it is likely to have dire repercussions for Turkish democracy.

It didn’t take long for Erdogan to begin what appears to be a purge of judges (2,700 have been suspended), military officers and anyone opposed to his way.

Within days, Erdogan hinted that the death penalty could be reintroduced because “democracy” demanded its return. It’s just the sort of self-serving and ludicrous argument you’d expect from the strongman leader.

The truth is, Turkey’s social divisions had been growing for some time — despite growing economic prosperity. Erdogan’s stifling of the media, his assault on Atatürk’s secularism, his quest for more power and the tension he is reigniting with Kurds had angered Turkey’s elite.

But the coup attempt will only shore up his power — not weaken it.

By claiming a new popular mandate, Erdogan now has carte blanche to attack opponents. This false “unity” has hastened calls for vengeance, such as for the death penalty and the burning of effigies of exiled spiritual leader Fethullah Gülen. It’s an assault on a fragile democracy.

Erdogan may be Turkey’s most powerful president since Atatürk, but his ideals would be alien to the father of the nation. True, Erdogan and Atatürk are both nationalists. But Erdogan’s desire to stoke a nationalist frenzy to consolidate his support is a stain on Atatürk’s legacy. It should concern us all.