Editorial Board
Erdogan Needs a Post-Election Pivot
Doubling down on his most controversial policies would leave Turkey poorer and more isolated.
Feeling vindicated.
Photographer: Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will undoubtedly read his latest election victory as a mandate to continue his pugnacious foreign and economic policies. Both he and Turkey would be better off steering a more pragmatic course.
Erdogan has reason to feel vindicated. Despite nosebleed inflation and anger over the government’s feeble response to a devastating earthquake in February, he triumphed easily in Sunday’s runoff, winning approximately 52% of the vote. Turnout in the first round neared 90%. Among Turkey’s conservative, nationalist majority, Erdogan remains genuinely popular.