Former Turkish MP Dr Ikan Erdmir attacks President on special interview with "Israel Today" • "Turkey must restore cordial relationship with Israel"

• Dr. Ikan Erdmir // Photo: MSC / Kuhlmann

As part of the damage caused by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan throughout his tenure, one of the main ones is the damage to Turkish democracy. Despite this, some courageous Turkish politicians are not afraid to continue criticizing the president for the many harms he has caused, including the relationship with Israel.

Dr. Aikan Erdmir was a member of the Turkish Parliament from 2015-2011 on behalf of the Republican People's Party (CHP) - a historic institution founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Erdmir does not spare harsh words about Erdogan. "Erdogan's anti-Semitic propaganda will persecute Turkey His role, "says the former MP in a special interview with Israel Today," The hatred and prejudice that has been rooted in the Turkish people for almost two decades will continue to affect Turkey-Israel relations. In order to restore the relationship, it takes time and effort. "

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However, according to Erdmir, who currently works as the senior director of the Turkey Program at the Democratic Defense Fund in Washington, there are reasons for optimism. "The realization that Turkey must emerge from its isolation in the Middle East will cause Turkish politicians, in post-Erdogan times, to invest in restoring cordial relations with Israel, as well as with Western allies," he estimates. As part of Turkey's required disengagement from Erdogan's Islamist policy, "foreign and security policy that would not benefit the country will also be needed," Erdmir points out.

Photo: Reuters

Do you think Erdogan expects a tough challenge in the general election in 2023?

"If the opposition parties unite forces behind an agreed candidate, as they did in the local elections last year - Erdogan will find it difficult to get re-elected," says the former MP, "even though Turkey's political rules are unfair."

One of the big hopes of the Turkish opposition is that citizens who vote for Erdogan's Justice and Development Party in 2018 will move to the parties set up by party leavers, Prime Minister and former Foreign Minister Ahmet Debutuolo, and former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ali Bajjan.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan / Photo: AFP

"They have Potential to take votes from the Justice and Development Party," Erdmir states. The gaps in the Turkish parliament between the opposition and the creation of at least 301 members are not very large, as they now have 248 MPs - and there is no telling how the momentum from the local elections last year will affect. In addition, the Justice and Development Party alone does not have a majority in Parliament, but today it needs its coalition members, national movement parties, and extreme great unity.

"Right now, support for Debutuolo and Babajan is low," Erdmir continues. "It will not be enough to make them major players in Turkish politics, but they may, nevertheless, tip the bar alongside the opposition in 2023."

From your deep acquaintance with the Republican People's Party, what is the step they need in the upcoming elections?

"Leading the opposition's 'political umbrella' in the local elections last year, they would do well if they aspire to expand it by 2023," recommends the former MP. "The wider union is needed to defeat Erdogan and restore the democratic system and rule of law in Turkey." Regarding Debutuolo and Babajan, Erdmir adds that "if they share this mission, they should join a broad union that will face Erdogan."

Supporters of the Republican People's Party (CHP) // Photo: GettyImages

How much will local elections last year affect the coming general elections?

"The local elections proved that Erdogan could be defeated in the ballot box in spite of the unequal conditions of play, which is why the vigor of the opposition came," Erdmir said. On the contrary, seeing the damage of this loss to Erdogan is twofold. "The victory in the local elections has strengthened the voters' belief in the broad opposition," Erdmir continues, "which is likely to happen in the upcoming elections as well."

In summary, what areas of the opposition should focus on its activities for the upcoming elections?

The Democratic (pro-Kurdish) party has about 12 percent of the vote, "Erdmir concludes," and thus the importance of the Kurdish vote for the opposition's victory is great.

Pro-Kurdish Party (HDP) Demonstration // Photo: AFP