ArmInfo.Turkish President Recep Erdogan's one sole aim in implementing his domestic and foreign policy is retaining power, and an early presidential election cannot be ruled out in that country, expert in Oriental Studies Emma Begidjanyan said in an interview with ArmInfo.
The rumors have been circulating in Turkey over the last year about the Turkish president's intention to hold an early presidential election this November. This June, however, Erdogan stated once again that no early presidential or parliamentary elections would be held in the country, and the elections would take place in June 2023. Recep Erdogan's traditional rival, the Republican People's Party, is claiming that by means of early elections the Turkish president is seeking to identify his falling rating, with all the recent polls being evidence thereof.
And numerous reasons for President Erdogan's falling rating can be cited. The major reason is a most unfavorable social and economic situation in the country due to the ongoing inflation. According to the latest data, 78.62% annual inflation was recorded in Turkey, with some sectors - transport, for instance - recording 123.37% inflation. Food prices have recorded a 94% rise. One of the "achievements" of the Erdogan-led government and Central Bank is the depreciation of the Turkish lira against the USD over the last year - TRL 8/$1 to 17/$1. Over the last ten years, the Turkish lira has recorded 9-time depreciation.
According to the expert, the current situation in Turkey only incites president Erdogan to further crackdowns. Specifically, he is now aiming at the third most popular Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and seeking to get its 11%. With this end in view, HDP offices are being attacked throughout Turkey, its representatives in the Turkish Parliament are being unseated and charged with being linked to the gunmen of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). In a similar way, Erdogan is getting rid of Kurdish reporters.
To win over the voters, President Erdogan is using his trump card, namely, Turkey's foreign policy achievements. Among them are Turkey's expansion into Iraq and Syria, its decisive role in invasion of Artsakh and desire to normalize relations with Armenia on the terms set by Ankara.
"Of course, Erdogan's latest achievement is Turkey's requirements in exchange for lifting its veto on the admission of Finland and Sweden to NATO. He has managed to exacerbate the situation by stating Turkey got from both countries all that it had planned to. However, a number of Turkish analysts believe that the Turkish leader made a lot of fuss about that. And the real achievements are much more moderate than Erdogan is trying to show the voters," Ms Begidjanyan.