Is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan going to be the next dictator of
Europe - in fact the only one after Vladimir Putin in Russia (and in some post
Soviet countries)?
As 'Putinism' is used to describe the dictatorial run of
Vladimir Putin, are we staring at yet another dictatorial style to emerge - 'Erdoganism'
- with his designs for an all power presidency in Turkey?
There are both lines of thoughts open right now - that it
was a stage-managed coup by Erdogan to cement his position further - or that it
was the last remnant of the secular thought process - the hallmark of the
Turkish military once - that saw its disoriented expression on July 15. Which
way would you want to go?
Over 9300 have been arrested. Though Turkey said today that
all those involved in the coup had been arrested, the purge that began on
Saturday, is to expected to last till every voice against Erdogan is
effectively silenced. Erdogan has been doing it for long but the coup (or the
failed coup) is expected to exacerbate it. Let's see what sort of democratic
garb Erdoganism gives it.
If the coup was real - as images of protesting Turkish
people suggest - would they (the Turkish people) raise their voice against
Erdoganism - if it comes to dictate the Turkish way of life - a clear and
present danger now?
Would the European community act? Would the European nations
take note of it.
Or will they still admit Turkey in the European Union -
after this failed coup - if Erdoganism delivers on the financial front - even
if democracy is effectively crushed?
Will Turkey become the next Russia for Europe - or energy
politics make them different case studies to handle? Many European nations need
Russia's energy exports - an advantage that Turkey cannot boast.
©SantoshChaubey
