Has President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan survived the elections?
Yes, he has survived the presidential and parliamentary elections held last May, defying predictions of the Turkish opposition and other groups who anticipated his defeat. Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) managed to retain their hold on power, albeit by a narrow margin.
While the narrow victory is indeed a success, it also presents numerous domestic and international challenges. These challenges concern the Turkish population and other regions, including Arab nations, where Turkey's expansionist ambitions are pursued through a combination of military force and softer strategies.
Consequently, this topic has been selected as the cover story for the magazine's July issue.
I visited Ankara and Istanbul in June. During my trip, I met officials loyal to President Erdoğan as well as opposition members. These meetings gave me valuable insights into the post-election landscape and the implications of Erdoğan's narrow victory.
Three-way divide
The street is divided into three groups: Erdoğan's loyalists, those who are indifferent or desperate, and the scattered opposition. Erdoğan's loyalists celebrate their victory but also feel a sense of pain. They know that the election was close and that many Turks are unhappy with the direction their country is heading toward.