ISLAM, FASCISM, MAINTAINING POWER

What is the driving force behind the AKP regime in Turkey?

In just a few years, Turkey has transformed from a model that successfully united the market, religion and democracy into a dictatorship. Economic crises, political violence and even indications of state failure have become more frequent, especially since the thwarted coup attempt of 16 July 2016. What political processes are shaping this “new Turkey" and what medium-term effects are they having? Is it the increasing Islamisation of society or an increasingly authoritarian political system that combines elements of fascism with the project of a super-president? Or is it primarily about the political elites' desire to retain power at all costs? And what does the Turkish crisis mean for the equally crisis-ridden EU?

Kerem Öktem, Professor of Southeast Europe and Modern Turkey at the Centre of Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz.

Moderation Gudrun Harrer, Senior Editor, Der Standard; she teaches Modern History and Politics of the Near and Middle East at the University of Vienna and at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.