Is President Red Erdogan the new state of emergency?

Photo: AFP

Ankara. A bill in Turkey raises fears that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will increase his grip on the country after the new political system has already extended its immeasurable power, writes the Israeli electronic edition ] The Jerusalem Post
The new bill will allow the Turkish president to impose restrictions on public demonstrations, to keep suspects for certain crimes within 12 days, to limit the entry into certain areas of the country and to remove the officials for three years
The bill was only proposed a few hours before the two – year emergency state in Turkey allowing Erdogan to govern through decrees expiring at midnight on July 18.
"If these powers (provided for in the future law) are transferred to it, the abolition of the state of emergency will only be a cosmetic measure," said Andrew Gardner. Amnesty International in response to the government's initiative
.
The new presidential system gives Erdogan the power to promulgate decrees in the absence of a declared state of emergency, although the government says such dictates will have a more limited scope. The Turkish leader also has a wider mechanism for the dismissal and appointment of judges, as well as the dissolution of parliament that would trigger elections
As Erdogan increases his power, civil organizations and their members are seen by many as the few remaining sources capable of obstructing his total control over the state
One of the most important groups among them is the women's movement. In March, thousands of activists gathered in the main pedestrian street in central Istanbul to celebrate International Women's Day, a rare example of an event that was not interrupted by police or repressed. by Turkish law
Another obstacle to the full empowerment of Erdogan may be economic stagnation
"One can imagine a situation in which markets force Erdogan to undertake a policy that he does not want to undertake," said Howard Eisenhand, Middle East history professor at St. John's University. Lawrence in Canton, New York
In the June presidential and legislative elections, Erdogan pledged to strengthen control of Ankara's monetary policy, raising concerns about the independence of the Central Bank of Turkey. After his reelection, Erdogan issued a decree announcing that the president would appoint a governor of the central bank, his deputies and members of the committee
Worries about the state of the economy have risen this month after Erdogan appointed his son-in-law finance minister, which resulted in a fall in the Turkish lira, which plummeted more than 20% this year
Another strongly discussed policy is related to interest rates that, according to investors, should be increased. However, Erdogan has repeatedly announced during his election campaign that the country should maintain low interest rates
Professor Eisenstadt noted that the deterioration of the economy could force the Turkish president to improve his relations with the West in order to boost market confidence. "Turkey, in its essence, is still a market state and needs foreign direct investment," he said.

Translation and edition: Йосислав Дочев

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