Berlin.
For years, Erdogan has been evoking a Turkey that needs no allies. But the earthquake catastrophe shakes this picture.
The earthquake catastrophe assumes apocalyptic proportions. More than 37,000 bodies have been recovered so far – and the number is increasing every day. 13 million people are affected in Turkey alone, almost as many in Syria. Any country would be overwhelmed by a disaster of this magnitude.
For President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the quake marks a turning point. For years he has cultivated the image of a proud, strong country that doesn’t need friends. He stylized himself as a leader who lets the mighty of the world dance to his tune. Erdogan is undermining Western sanctions against Russia, blocking NATO’s northern expansion and threatening neighboring Greece with rocket attacks.
Turkey: Erdogan relies on repression
Now the Turkish head of state must recognize that his country needs help. And the willingness to help is overwhelming: over 10,000 rescuers from more than 80 countries are on duty. The “arch-enemy” Greece was one of the first countries to send rescue workers to south-east Turkey a few hours after the earthquake.
Also read:Turkey: Woman rescued from rubble after 112 hours
What conclusions does Erdogan draw? Is Erdogan now approaching the opposition, the neighbors and the NATO partners? He would have the chance. But unfortunately there are no signs of this so far.
The government blocked Twitter, depriving survivors and rescuers of an important communication channel. Dozens of people who drew attention to abuses on social networks have already been arrested.
Erdogan apparently only believes he can survive the elections in mid-May with repression. It remains to be seen whether his calculations will work out. The political earthquake could still be ahead of the head of state.
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