The early elections in Turkey on November 1 are a victory for President Recep Erdogan, but a defeat for Turkey, says Ruben Safrastyan, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Armenian Academy of Sciences.
The elections enabled the ruling Justice and Development party to get twice as many seats in Turkey’s Parliament, which will allow it to form a one-party government.
“Statistically, Erdogan and his party are winners. But strategically, Erdogan’s policy has created a rather grave situation in Turkey – in both external and internal respects,” Mr Safrastyan said.
Elaborating on the subject, he pointed out the Kurdish problem, Turkey’s worsening relations with its neighbors, Turkey’s involvement in the Syria crisis, which will cost it much.
As regards Turkey’s relations with Russia, it is now in an unprecedented situation.
“Russian armed forces turn out to be deployed not only in Turkey’s northern regions, but also in its south, which is a new event for Turkey. It is the result of its policy in Syria and refusal to support the anti-terrorist activities,” Mr Safrastyan said.
According to him, it will result in Turkey’s international isolation, while isolation is obvious in the Middle East.
“Turkey has severed its relations with Egypt. We can see the situation involving Israel and Turkey. Besides, Turkey has strained relations with Iraq and Iran. And if Iran’s role in the Middle East should rise after sanctions have been removed, it will strain its relations with Turkey,” Mr Safrastyan said.
By forming a one-party government, Turkish authorities will continue their policy.
“It means no new policy to the South Caucasus or to us will be developed,” he said.
The expert does not rule out a possibility of turkey inciting Azerbaijan to escalation to overcome the crisis.