Instead of undoing Ataturk’s legacy, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has claimed it
His secularism is played down, his nationalism celebrated
NEARLY 60% OF Turks, including 46% of supporters of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) party, according to a survey published in August, consider him the country’s most beloved historical figure. More than nine out of ten say they are grateful for what he did for Turkey, shows another, less recent poll. And over 73% believe the values he represents are more relevant than ever. Turkey’s president and AK’s leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, though fresh from another election victory this summer, could only dream of such numbers. They are Kemal Ataturk’s. He may have been dead for more than 80 years, but he is still Turkey’s most popular politician.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “An Ataturk complex”
Europe October 28th 2023
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From the October 28th 2023 edition
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