Turkish PM quits, possibly after row with Erdogan.

[Valaran]

Linky

Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says he will stand down at an extraordinary congress of his ruling AK Party later this month.

Mr Davutoglu is believed to have fallen from favour having disapproved of Mr Erdogan's plans to move Turkey to a presidential system of government.

But in a speech, Mr Davutoglu pledged his loyalty to President Erdogan, saying he bore no anger to anyone.

His successor will be chosen when the congress meets on 22 May.

[...]

He also told Turkish TV that the country and its economy would stabilise further "when a prime minister more closely aligned with President Erdogan takes office".

I'm sure most posters are well aware of Erdogan's authoritarian tendencies, but this is yet another sign of increasing control. What's more interesting is the rise and fall of Davutoglu, formerly the champion of Turkey's 'no enemies' foreign policy, that has now utterly failed. He's also been seen as something of a relative moderate, which actually sort of comes out here, with his increasing unease over Erdogan's latest bouts of power mania. In some ways, this could be seen as the result of him sticking to his guns.

However, Erdogan once again rules triumphant. Davutoglu's attempt to build up his own powerbase has clearly failed, and this also puts to rest any lingering ideas that Davutoglu could have been Erdogan's successor. However, that does leave Erdogan without an obvious heir, which either suggests he wants to rule for a very long time, or is has having an issue finding/keeping a successor to hand. The fact that this split necessitated drastic action also suggests that there were some pretty heavy internal divisions, and that Erdogan had issues resolving them/controlling his own party without a public display of force. Or that he's just intolerant opposition, even from his own protégé. he does seem the type.

Any thoughts NSG? How will Turkey's foreign policy and Erdogan's domestic agenda change now? How long will Erdogan reign? With even less of a moderating influence, will Turkey's transformation to authoritarianism only increase?

Oh, and since I hear Erdogan doesn't like criticism:

[Spiffier]

It's becoming more and more tenuous for us to criticize Russia while we maintain a cozy alliance with Turkey.

[Great Kauthar]

Erdogan must be ousted and arrested for war crimes and censorship.

[Mefpan]

Erdogan must be ousted and arrested for war crimes and censorship.

It feels so absurd and otherworldly to hold the same opinions as you do, even if it's for completely different reasons.

But I can't say this is surprising. I'd not put it past Erdogan to declare a new dynasty at this point; he's already got the royal palace for it, after all.

[Valaran]

It's becoming more and more tenuous for us to criticize Russia while we maintain a cozy alliance with Turkey.

I imagine this is just realpolitik now. Erdogan has the levers on the migrant crisis, and to a lesser degree, on the Syrian crisis. Turkey is currently also 'useful' in some respects, not least for western military bases needed to fight IS.

I might express mild hope, that, since the Europeans won't say jack about this (due to the migrant crisis), a new US president could set a more forceful tone.

[DBJ]

It's becoming more and more tenuous for us to criticize Russia while we maintain a cozy alliance with Turkey.

The situation in turkey is still nowhere near as bad as in russia. Also, it's not as if erdogan doesn't receive any criticism. Germany’s president was in turkey publicly criticizing Erdogan’s policy. That's a pretty harsh move.

[Community Values]

If the PM resigns, a new PM can't serve until election time? Really all I can think about now is the Erdogan song. Why do people in Turkey support Erdogan? What's so bad with freedom of the press? What's so bad with not bombing the kurds?

[Spiffier]

It's becoming more and more tenuous for us to criticize Russia while we maintain a cozy alliance with Turkey.

The situation in turkey is still nowhere near as bad as in russia. Also, it's not as if erdogan doesn't receive any criticism. Germany’s president was in turkey publicly criticizing Erdogan’s policy. That's a pretty harsh move.

No where near as bad as Russia? Erdogan locked away 1,800 people just for deriding him.

[Community Values]

The situation in turkey is still nowhere near as bad as in russia. Also, it's not as if erdogan doesn't receive any criticism. Germany’s president was in turkey publicly criticizing Erdogan’s policy. That's a pretty harsh move.

No where near as bad as Russia? Erdogan locked away 1,800 people just for deriding him.

Do you know how many Putin has arrested? They both seem pretty bad, tbh.

[SD_Film Artists]

Erdogan must be ousted and arrested for war crimes and censorship.

It feels so absurd and otherworldly to hold the same opinions as you do, even if it's for completely different reasons.

But I can't say this is surprising. I'd not put it past Erdogan to declare a new dynasty at this point; he's already got the royal palace for it, after all.

I do wonder where Erdogan thinks his friends are, after being against Russia for some time and his war on free press and peace in general has been trying the patience of western leaders.

[Valaran]

It feels so absurd and otherworldly to hold the same opinions as you do, even if it's for completely different reasons.

But I can't say this is surprising. I'd not put it past Erdogan to declare a new dynasty at this point; he's already got the royal palace for it, after all.

I do wonder where Erdogan thinks his friends are, after being against Russia for some time and his war on free press and peace in general has been trying the patience of western leaders.

Saudi Arabia. Bosnia/Albania. Azerbaijan. He's pivoted back to Israel somewhat. aaaand that's about it.

[New Rogernomics]

Erdogan must be ousted and arrested for war crimes and censorship.

It feels so absurd and otherworldly to hold the same opinions as you do, even if it's for completely different reasons.

But I can't say this is surprising. I'd not put it past Erdogan to declare a new dynasty at this point; he's already got the royal palace for it, after all.

Erdogan won't get punished. In fact western (especially European and North American) countries just turn a blind eye (or even reward him) the more terrible human rights abuses he commits.

Just like with Azerbaijan, which the European Union invites to Eurovision song contests, despite its terrible human rights record and it being one of the world's most brutal dictatorships.

Welcome to the nasty world of geo-politics, where terrible regimes get away with horrific human rights abuses, purely on the basis of their geo-political position.

Feel sorry for Turks, but I don't really have a hope for things getting better.

Turkey is returning to Ottoman Empire Era policies and repressions, and basically turning its back on Ataturk in favor of a tyranny of the majority fueled by populist Islamism and extreme nationalism.

[Spiffier]

No where near as bad as Russia? Erdogan locked away 1,800 people just for deriding him.

Do you know how many Putin has arrested? They both seem pretty bad, tbh.

Not 1,800 for insulting him on twitter or whatever, that's for sure.

[SD_Film Artists]

I do wonder where Erdogan thinks his friends are, after being against Russia for some time and his war on free press and peace in general has been trying the patience of western leaders.

Saudi Arabia. Bosnia/Albania. Azerbaijan. He's pivoted back to Israel somewhat. aaaand that's about it.

A league of freedom and tolerance if ever there was one.

[Valaran]

Saudi Arabia. Bosnia/Albania. Azerbaijan. He's pivoted back to Israel somewhat. aaaand that's about it.

A league of freedom and tolerance if ever there was one.

Oh certainly

[SD_Film Artists]

It feels so absurd and otherworldly to hold the same opinions as you do, even if it's for completely different reasons.

But I can't say this is surprising. I'd not put it past Erdogan to declare a new dynasty at this point; he's already got the royal palace for it, after all.

Erdogan won't get punished. In fact western (especially European and North American) countries just turn a blind eye (or even reward him) the more terrible human rights abuses he commits.

That was more true in the past when we was Our Man in the Middle East, sending over Patriot missiles etc over to him but more recently the diplomatic rhetoric from Europe has been less friendly, and Obama has publicly criticised Erdogan's abuse of the press.

[Utilitarian Garibaldi]

The situation in turkey is still nowhere near as bad as in russia. Also, it's not as if erdogan doesn't receive any criticism. Germany’s president was in turkey publicly criticizing Erdogan’s policy. That's a pretty harsh move.

No where near as bad as Russia? Erdogan locked away 1,800 people just for deriding him.

Probably because Erdogan has an actual opposition. Don't know where you got that number though.

[MERIZoC]

Don't know much about him, Erdogan was always in the spotlight. I doubt this will change much though. Erdogan will continue to make Europe his bitch.

[Spiffier]

No where near as bad as Russia? Erdogan locked away 1,800 people just for deriding him.

Probably because Erdogan has an actual opposition. Don't know where you got that number though.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/m ... o-go-ahead

[Utilitarian Garibaldi]

Probably because Erdogan has an actual opposition. Don't know where you got that number though.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/m ... o-go-ahead

Cases don't necessarily translate to people getting locked up. The Turkish judicial system is still mostly impartial from the impression I've received.

[New Rogernomics]

Erdogan won't get punished. In fact western (especially European and North American) countries just turn a blind eye (or even reward him) the more terrible human rights abuses he commits.

That was more true in the past when we was Our Man in the Middle East, sending over Patriot missiles etc over to him but more recently the diplomatic rhetoric from Europe has been less friendly, and Obama has publicly criticised Erdogan's abuse of the press.

Criticism isn't worth much though, when its only a slap on the wrist, and business as usual.

There are no sanctions or penalties for bad behavior, which sets a double-standard internationally:

Both Europe and the United States have turned a blind eye to the human rights violations in Turkey’s Kurdish towns over the past year. Europeans did so because they were desperate to strike a deal with Mr. Erdogan to get Turkey to contain Syrian refugees. Washington, for its part, feels that Turkey is indispensable in the fight against the Islamic State.

America is still selling large numbers of weapons to Turkey, has a military base, and many American politicians are in Turkey's pocket - and in doing so putting Erdogan's interests over American interests and human rights:

So why are officials in Washington still dragging their feet on a simple word choice? “Because we have military bases in [Turkey],” Clooney explained on KPCC's “The Frame” in October. “Suddenly those same politicians who before could say, ‘Yes, there was a genocide,' can't talk about it now. You can't call it that. I've had conversations with senators where I'll say, ‘Can we talk about the Armenian genocide?' and they'll say, ‘Absolutely not, because Turkey is our partner in the war on terror.' ”

Till that changes, Erdogan will continue to act as he has been acting. It's like telling a child he shouldn't eat sweets, and then giving the child ten packets.

[Renewed Imperial Germany]

Erdogan must be ousted and arrested for war crimes and censorship.

A-Are we in.... agreement? *pinches self*

[Miarie]

Retake Constantinople 2016

[West Aurelia]

I might express mild hope, that, since the Europeans won't say jack about this (due to the migrant crisis), a new US president could set a more forceful tone.

The US can't afford to alienate Turkey too much either in order to secure its support in Syria. I doubt Hillary, well-known for cozying up to tyrants when it serves the US' interests, would do much, other than issue a statement of "concern." Knowing Trump, he would probably praise Erdogan for "strength" or something equally idiotic.

[Baltenstein]

Those are hard times for Turkey. Her enemies are everywhere: Crusaders, Zionists, infidels, Kurds, journalists, lawyers, "human rights" activists, TV comedians - a thousand enemies without, a thousand enemies within.

Who would be capable of assuming the office of Prime Minister in this dark hour? Why, non other than president Erdogan himself, of course! Allah willing, he will lead Turkey to a new age of glory and prosperity!