Türkei: Erdoğan festigt seine Macht, aber er demontiert sie auch
Turkey: Erdoğan Consolidates His Power, But Dismantles It As Well

The Legitimacy Dilemma of a Repressive System

Summary/Abstract: Political power needs legitimacy in democratic as well as in autocratic regimes. What we have witnessed in Turkey since the failed coup attempt in July 2016 is that President Erdoğan strengthens his autocratic political system more and more. Preparation of an autocratic presidential system is under way. Media are under harsh pressure; academics face repressionas well. More than 120.000 public servants have been fired. Erdoğan made use of the military coup to his own benefit to start a counter-coup.The first target was to eliminate the Islamic competitor Fethullah Gülen, the second one was to put everybody under pressure who raised suspicion of belonging to opposition circles. But these attacks are not without risk. As we realize today the fundament of Erdoğan’s political ascent since 2002 may be weakened. Erdoğan made three promises to his electorate that secured support and votes for his party: prosperity, security and EU membership. All of these promises are fading away. The economy follows a downward trend, attacks and terrorism increase the feeling of insecurity and Turkey alienates itself from the EU. As the “output”capacity dwindles away Erdoğan’s political legitimacy is under increasing pressure.

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