Скачать или смотреть Dr Berk Esen – After the March 19 Crackdown: Is Turkey an Autocracy?

18.06.2025 Talk by Dr. Berk Esen
Turkish politics was shaken by the arrest of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, along with dozens of municipal officials and senior figures from the main opposition party, in the wake of a sweeping judicial operation last month. Having first come to power in late 2002, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has systematically undermined democratic institutions and consolidated control over the judiciary, media, and bureaucracy to tilt the playing field against the opposition. In 2017, President Erdoğan pushed through constitutional changes that transitioned the country to a hyper presidential system, vastly expanding his executive powers and eliminating institutional checks and balances.
Despite this ongoing autocratization, the opposition remained electorally competitive, expanded its support base, and mounted serious challenges to the AKP’s rule—most notably by winning major cities like Istanbul and Ankara in recent 2024 local elections. The arrest of İmamoğlu—the main opposition’s likely presidential candidate—marks a decisive move toward hegemonic authoritarianism as seen in Venezuela, Belarus, and Russia, where elections no longer offer a chance for change. The crackdown has sparked widespread public protests and renewed resistance from the main opposition party. This talk will explore what the March 19 crackdown means for Turkey’s political future—and whether democratic change is still possible.