Turkey’s leader withdraws from domestic violence treaty
ISTANBUL — In two surprise midnight decrees, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan withdrew Turkey from an international treaty on preventing violence against women and removed the head of the country’s central bank, moves likely to please his followers but further estrange him from Western partners.
Erdogan had floated the idea of withdrawing from the treaty, known as the Istanbul Convention, for more than a year as he courted conservative and nationalist followers to shore up his flagging popularity. Women’s groups immediately announced a protest rally Saturday.
The president, who has increasingly insisted on greater control over the central bank, appears to have opposed a raising of interest rates this month by the bank’s chief, Naci Agbal. Erdogan has steadily concentrated more authority into his own hands over his 18 years in power. His latest actions, overnight between Friday and Saturday, came amid a flurry of attacks on political opponents that seem intended to solidify his political base.
His communications director, Fahrettin Altun, defended the decision on the treaty by insisting the president continues to be a champion of women’s rights. Foes of the accord have argued that it causes divisions within families and encourages divorce.
Erdogan’s Islamist-leaning government has sought to recast the debate over women’s rights by supporting traditional family values over equality for women and by emphasizing women’s role as nurturers of children. Women’s groups counter that violence against women has soared during Erdogan’s tenure.
Erdogan does not face reelection until 2023, but his popularity has fallen amid an economic downturn. Opposition parties are gaining strength, and at this point he would likely struggle to win a presidential election even with his nationalist allies.
Erdogan has also reiterated his desire to join the European Union. But his latest actions appeared to be a calculated snub, announced just after a video conference with EU officials Friday in which they called for a de-escalation in tensions.