The positions of Erdogan in Turkey and abroad are weakening. After the elections in June, his party lost its parliamentary majority, while the EU considers him only because of the unresolved crisis with refugees, one of Germany's leading specialists in Muslim countries, Professor Udo Steinbach, said.
"Erdogan is no longer the Erdogan he was earlier who could dictate everything," Steinbach said in an interview with TV channel RTL.
Steinbach stated that the situation in the country is very unstable and "increasingly undemocratic". In addition, Turkey is isolating itself on the international arena, while its relations with many neighboring countries, Russia and the United States are deteriorating.
However, the German expert doubts that the promises will be fulfilled. In his opinion, Turkey's relations with the EU will deteriorate very quickly.
According to the expert, it also remains unclear which side Erdogan supports in the Syria conflict. This is another factor which contributes to his negative image in the country and the fact that Erdogan is increasingly losing support among the Turkish population. Moreover, his aggressive policy towards the Kurds further undermines the country's domestic security as the PKK is turning to armed attacks as a means to achieve its goals.
Steinbach argued that the conflict between the Kurds and the Turkish state is not just a Turkish problem. It has a direct impact on how the fight against Daesh terrorists is proceeding, on the refugee crisis as well as on the European states themselves. The EU and especially Germany will therefore — sooner or later — have to contribute to the resolution of this conflict and change from their soft position to a much tougher stance.
