Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has hinted at an easing of political tensions in Turkey following the recent election defeat of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and announced his intention to visit the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).
The statement came after his meeting with CHP leader Özgür Özel, the first such meeting between the leaders of Turkey’s two largest parties in eight years.
Speaking to reporters after Friday prayers at the Çilehane Mosque in İstanbul’s Üsküdar district, Erdoğan emphasized the need for a calmer political climate.
“With this step, politics has entered a phase of calm. I told Mr. Özel that I will return his visit at the first opportunity,” Erdoğan said.
The meeting at AKP headquarters on Thursday took place against the backdrop of the recent local elections, which saw the CHP emerge victorious after 47 years, relegating the AKP to second place for the first time in 22 years.
However, critics question the sincerity of Erdoğan’s gestures of reconciliation. Journalist Can Kakışım expressed skepticism on X: “Erdoğan’s ‘normalization theater’ is aimed at maneuvering himself out of the grip of the MHP [current Erdoğan ally far-right Nationalist Movement Party] by using ‘softening’ as a legitimate excuse to eventually change the rules of the game, knowing he might lose.”
Similarly, influencer Can Gürses tweeted: “Authoritarian and pragmatic people only engage in a ‘softening process’ not because they really mean it, but because it is no longer pragmatic to be as authoritarian as before.”
These comments underscore the deep skepticism about the potential for real political change in Turkey under the current government.
No agreements were announced following the meeting between Erdoğan and Özel, which also addressed issues such as economic challenges and the human rights situation in the country.
Over the past several years, Turkey has been suffering from a deteriorating economy, with high inflation and unemployment as well as a poor human rights record. President Erdoğan is criticized for mishandling the economy, emptying the state’s coffers and establishing one-man rule in the country where dissent is suppressed and opponents are jailed on politically motivated charges.