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Why ‘Western countries’ are concerned about Turkey

8 June, 2023 

Interview by Jessica Hopkins, adapted by Jacob Maxwell and Joel Armstrong 

Conservative politician Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has been in power for more than 20 years, has been re-elected as president of Turkey. Photo: Wikimedia Commons. 

The re-election of long-standing President Erdoğan, who leads the far-right nationalist Justice and Development Party (AK Party), has caused concern among international bodies. 

Erdoğan has been criticised for threatening human rights protections and democracy by cracking down on critics, political opponents, and discriminating against minority groups including Kurdish and LGBTQIA+ people. 

Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland, Stephen Hoadley, told 95bFM’s The Wire that Erdoğan’s re-election against a more democratic political opponent is disappointing.

Hoadley said that throughout his time in power, Erdoğan’s policies have become less democratic to appeal to conservative voters in the country. 

“His wife is now covered, Islamic institutions were sponsored, and Turkey has become more orthodox in terms of religion, which caused a change in foreign policy.” 

Erdoğan purchased discounted energy from Russia during their invasion of Ukraine. He also purchased energy from Iran, which NATO has an economic sanction against for nuclear weapons development and long-range missile development.

This has caused tension between Turkey and the other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), a pro-democratic, pro-diplomatic alliance between 31 member countries, with the US declining to give Turkey F-15 fighter planes.

Although Turkey’s current relationship with the Western world isn’t outwardly “hostile,” Hoadley speculates that Turkey’s political climate would not help the “cooling of relations” between Turkey and ‘Western countries’.

He expressed concern that Turkey forming military relationships with Russia, Iran, and China could provoke NATO members. 

Despite Erdoğan's controversy, Hoadley said New Zealand has maintained a "cordial relationship" with Turkey.  

Aotearoa’s diplomatic relationship with Turkey stems partly from historical events that have involved the two countries, including Gallipoli and World War II. 

Hoadley believes this relationship is unlikely to change, even with the re-election of Erdoğan.

“The New Zealand government is not one for megaphone diplomacy or grand pronouncements.”

Despite this, Hoadley believes Aotearoa, along with the ‘Western world’ discreetly disapproves of Turkey’s political actions.

Listen to the full interview 

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air