Die neue türkische Identitätskrise und das Erbe des Nationalismus
Haunted by Nationalism: The New Turkish Identity Crisis

Summary/Abstract: Turkey is again in turmoil. AKP, the party of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which is governing with an absolute majority and has succeeded to secure the opening of membership talks with the European Union, has to face closure by the Constitutional Court under the suspicion of being in favour of sharia, the islamic law. The court case is part of a mayor power struggle, which the strictly secular opposition party CHP and their followers in the state bureaucracy and the military hope to win. The case has driven Turkey into a bitter division; it has brought old identity questions again to the top of the agenda, questions about the place of religion in society especially. Parts of the opposition are fueling nationalism to strengthen their position and are pleading for more distance from Europe. The situation has already led to a decline in foreign investments in Turkey, which had only recently lived through a period of high growth and economic liberalization. The EU has expressed concern about the future of democracy in the country that is in a pivotal strategic position for Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia.

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