EGF Turkey File, March — May, 2018

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics

Mid-March 2018 — Mid-May 2018

By Ben McPherson, EGF Turkey and Black Sea Regional Analyst

Key Points:

• Surprise elections send parties, pundits, and markets scrambling
• President Erdoğan stokes economist fears about his unorthodox views, and control of the economy
• Snap elections will lead to new presidential system coming online
• Violence in Gaza creates diplomatic fallout and harsh Erdoğan-Netanyahu barbs
• Erdoğan is seeking a leadership role in worldwide condemnation of violence in Gaza, while relations with Washington remain strained