Deciphering Erdoğan’s Foreign Policy after Turkey’s 2023 Elections

Abstract

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has firmly established himself as the dominant figure in Turkish politics, as evidenced once again by his triumph in the 2023 presidential and general elections. Securing a third term as president and a parliamentary majority through his People’s Alliance coalition, Erdoğan has solidified his place as the longest-serving leader in the history of the Turkish Republic, surpassing even the revered Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. His ideology, often referred to as “Erdoğanism,” continues to gain traction across various sectors of Turkish society, influencing institutional, social, and political spheres. This phenomenon becomes all the more pronounced as Turkey celebrated the centennial of its founding, with signs of Erdoğan’s vision for the “New Turkey” and the “Century of Turkey” already materializing. Nevertheless, the Turkish populace finds itself more divided than ever.