The Emir of Qatar, the Taliban in Afghanistan and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán were the first to congratulate.
This article is IPPEN. MEDIA in the course of a cooperation with the Europe.Table Professional Briefing – it was first published by Europe. Table on May 30, 2023.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel were also not long in coming – and congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on his re-election.
Erdoğan was confirmed in office on Sunday with around 52 percent of the vote. His challenger Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu received 48 percent of the vote. Voter turnout was 85 percent, and the election was overshadowed by allegations of manipulation. For example, Kılıçdaroğlu complained that Erdoğan had been favored by the state-loyal media. Election observers were attacked in Mardin in southeastern Turkey. Erdoğan distributed banknotes to his supporters on election day.
Newsletter from Table.Media
Get 30 days of free access to further exclusive information from the Table.Media Professional Briefings – the decisive factor for the decision-makers in business, science, politics, administration and NGOs.
Relations with Turkey of "strategic importance"
But this did not prevent the EU and NATO from recognizing the result without further examination. "Congratulations on your re-election, President," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. "I look forward to further developing EU-Turkey relations," von der Leyen said. It is of "strategic importance" to advance these relations "for the benefit of our peoples".
Similar statements were made by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, and the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi. The EU has a "strategic interest" in close cooperation, they wrote in a joint statement. It is also about a "stable and secure environment in the eastern Mediterranean".
But relations between Brussels and Ankara are tense. There has been no progress since the controversial refugee agreement of 2016. The EU accession promised in 1999 has been on hold for years. "Strategic cooperation" is also not progressing. Erdoğan not only made life difficult for EU members Finland and Sweden when they sought NATO membership. He continues to hold Sweden back. He also regularly threatens Greece and Cyprus – and undermines Western sanctions against Russia. However, no one wants to dare to break because of this. Turkey is too important for that, they say in Brussels.
Weber: Cancel Turkey's accession to the EU
Erdoğan is still needed – for Sweden's accession to NATO, but also for the continuation of the grain agreement between Russia and Ukraine and for peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
At the same time, there is a growing recognition that Turkey under Erdoğan is neither willing nor able to meet the conditions for EU accession. The deficits in democracy and the rule of law are too great. In fact, the election has made the problems even greater.
0
Also Read
Acts of sabotage in Crimea: Russia on the verge of losing control – Putin worried
READ
Ukraine reports devastating "blow" to Russian occupiers – with 500 dead and injured
READ
New Habeck hammer: penalties of up to one million euros are imminent
READ
After victory in Bakhmut: Wagner mercenaries and Russia's soldiers advance along highways
READ
U.S. surprised by its own Patriot system: Ukraine baffles Pentagon
READ
Fancy a voyage of discovery?
My Area
But hardly any EU politician wants to say this so clearly. Only the leader of the conservative European People's Party, Manfred Weber, speaks plainly. Weber calls for EU accession to be called off and a new chapter to be opened. "The last few years have shown that a close partnership is important, but no one wants Turkey to become a full member of the EU," the CSU politician told the newspapers of the Funke media group. "We have to put this process on the shelf, because it blocks better relations more than it supports them." Rather, now is the "right time for a general restart between the EU and Turkey on a realistic basis," Weber continued.
EU ill-prepared for a fresh start
But it is unclear what a restart should look like. The EU is ill-prepared. Until the presidential election, it did nothing to rearrange the tense relations. Brussels has not even made a strong case for democratisation in Turkey. The European Parliament did not even send election observers, as is usually the case. In addition, Parliament has pledged not to comment on the election and its results. Apparently, there is a fear of being accused of interference.
The EU Commission also held back. After the first round of voting, the head of the authority, von der Leyen, contented herself with praising the high voter turnout. She found no words of encouragement for the democratic opposition, and she did not develop a plan for the future.
Huge problems in the country
Therefore, it remains unclear how relations with Turkey will be developed. After 20 years of Erdoğan, they have reached a low point. Von der Leyen should be happy if he doesn't smash even more porcelain – and first do his homework.
The Turkish economy is in ruins, inflation and the exorbitant cost of living have plunged millions of Turks into poverty. After the earthquake in southeastern Turkey in February, the sluggish reconstruction must also be pushed forward.
The EU has pledged help – now Erdoğan must get down to business and fulfil his election promises. From Brussels' point of view, another touchstone is Sweden's accession to NATO. Only when the Turkish president gives up his veto will the way be clear for a new start in the EU.