Turkey's Political Futures: Domestic and Regional Dynamics

The year 2019 is likely to be a crucial one in Turkey’s political trajectory: Domestically, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s rule is facing a looming economic crisis and intense social polarisation. The municipal elections in late March will be an important litmus test of Erdoğan’s hold on power. Uncertainty abounds about what role the opposition might have in the near future. The new presidential system means less space for institutional politics, whereas the routinised mechanisms of repression have paralysed civil society activism. In neighbouring Syria, Turkey is not only a direct military and economic player on the ground but also – together with Russia and Iran – one of the most crucial diplomatic actors determining the future of the country. In the wider Middle East, Turkey is aiming to recover from its diminished status as a regional power. The GIGA Talk will investigate these domestic and regional dynamics to better assess and anticipate Turkey’s likely political futures.

Panellists: Dr. André Bank is acting director of the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies. Dr. Hakkı Taş is a research fellow at the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies. Dr. T. Deniz Erkmen is an IPC-Stiftung Mercator Fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP).

Moderation: Dr. Maria Josua is a research fellow at the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies.

Please confirm your attendance by 18 February 2019 by sending an email to [email protected].

The Chatham House Rule applies to this event. Unfortunately, the venue is not wheelchair accessible.