A Republic with a Sultan and a Crown Prince

Turkey is still a republic; don’t worry, the crown has not disappeared from the museum! Yet some political practices are so reminiscent of a monarchy that it is as if history has quietly slipped in through the back door.

In a republic, power should naturally come from the people and ultimately return to the people. But when a politician remains at the center of power for more than two decades, while the names of his family members repeatedly appear within the same sphere of influence, we are no longer talking about just one politician; we are talking about a culture of power—a culture in which power gradually reproduces itself.

Because when power that has been in the hands of one person for more than two decades begins to move closer to his family, or the path for its transfer to the family is gradually paved, an unavoidable question arises: Are we still dealing with the power of a republic, or with power merely wearing the clothes of a republic?

This leads to another question: Have elections throughout all these years merely been held to preserve the appearance of choice, while people, without even realizing it, have been gradually guided toward what they were ultimately expected to vote for?

If this assessment is correct, then we are no longer dealing with an ordinary republic; rather, we are facing a form of monarchy that has hidden its power behind the ballot box.

Therefore, perhaps it is time to reassess the policies of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), because over the past two decades, Turkey has gradually moved away from the true meaning of a republic.

Because sometimes time plays a more important role than the politician himself.

Sometimes all it takes is for a president to remain in power long enough for the line between a republic and a monarchy to gradually disappear.

And in the process, the power of the republic itself slowly fades—especially when society becomes accustomed to the presence and power of the “father.”

Today, the father is still at the center of power, and suddenly the son’s name begins appearing in predictions about the country’s political future. In other words, Bilal Erdoğan is being presented as a “future option” even before the people have chosen him.

Of course, this is not a simple matter.

Turkey is a large country with a long history, a diverse culture, and a complex society. The people of Turkey should choose their candidates and political programs and should not tie the country’s future to the family name of one person.

Perhaps it would be worthwhile to reflect once again on the meaning of a republic.

A republic means that no one owns the country.

Not the president.

Not the party.

Not the military.

Not the family.

A country is not inherited; power should not be inherited either.

But when we reach the point where Bilal is presented as a future option because of his father’s name, before he is known for his abilities and political programs...

Then the question is no longer:

“Who will be elected?”

The real question is:

“How did Turkey go from a republic to a family monarchy?”

Written by: Gouya Roshan — All rights reserved

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