Is Turkey ready for change?

TEHRAN,June 18(MNA)--The ongoing demonstrations in Turkey are a serious signal to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) that it should make drastic changes in its approach toward political and social developments. The party has repeatedly claimed that it will remain the most popular political group in the country until at least 2020. However, the recent protests in Istanbul and some other cities proved that the AKP is in urgent need of an overhaul of its political style. Despite the swelling wave of street protests and the popular discontent, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has shown no sign of retreat from his position toward the people’s demands. His stance may even exacerbate the situation and expand the scope of the demonstrations. Erdogan continues to describe the demonstrators as agents of opposition parties that are trying to undermine his popularity one year ahead of Turkey’s next presidential election. Erdogan has even mobilized some of his supporters in Istanbul and other big cities to counter the anti-government demonstrators. This could threaten Turkey’s national security, and the country’s economy, and especially the booming tourism industry, could also be hit hard. The demonstrations in Istanbul’s Taksim Square have already paved the way for changes in Turkish society. Thus, the AKP and its leaders should get in tune with this trend, since it would be in their best interests. Otherwise, the winds of change will sweep Erdogan and his friends off the political stage. Siamak Kakayi is a political analyst and an expert on Turkey and Iraq based in Tehran. (By Siamak Kakayi)