Turkey's uncertain future
Thursday, 4 June 2015 - 8:00am IST | Place: Mumbai | Agency: dna | From the print edition
Anita Sengupta
The general elections of June 7, 2015, will be Turkey’s last elections till 2019. Coming at a time when Turkey and its neighbourhood are on the brink of profound transformations, the elections could well define the direction of West Asian politics for some time to come. This is not only because of the possibility of the pro-Kurdish HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) crossing the 10% threshold which would impact the distribution of seats in Parliament and redefine the future of the Kurdish issue in the region, but also the alternative possibility of the ruling AKP (Justice and Development Party) securing a large enough majority to change the Constitution. A clear perspective on either possibility is critical for developing India’s stance on the shifting dynamics of West Asian politics since Turkey has regained its significance as a mediator in the region. Also, given its long borders with Syria and India’s concerns about the developments in the Syrian civil war, the humanitarian crisis as well as the possibilities of this affecting the Indian community in the region and the transformations in Turkey assume salience. Syria and Iraq, the two countries where the Islamic State is the biggest threat, are on the ‘periphery’ of core Indian interests. An understanding of this new extremist Islam in Turkey’s neighbourhood as also a rereading of Islam within Turkey itself, are both crucial given the possibility of the extension of this radicalism in India’s neighbourhood. As such an understanding of ‘new’ Turkey and challenges in its neighbourhood will be critical in developing India’s West Asia policy. According to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, much of this new or Yeni Turkiye will be defined in terms of a new Constitution which is why this general election is critical.
More:Turkey's uncertain future | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis