Which direction will Turkey choose after Erdogan’s re-election as president?

One by one, world leaders are congratulating newly elected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his election victory. One of the first was Russian leader Vladimir Putin. As stated in his telegram, Russia highly appreciates Erdogan’s personal contribution to strengthening friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between Moscow and Ankara. The Turkish leader has already said that he will develop gradually. In particular, it confirmed its intention to implement a joint project to create a gas hub.

Erdogan’s victory was not easy: this time the opposition was a serious contender. The West now fears a new rapprochement between Ankara and Moscow; immediately after the vote count, Joe Biden hinted to his Turkish counterpart that he was ready to increase military cooperation.

“Congratulations to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his re-election. I look forward to continuing to work together as NATO allies on bilateral issues and shared global challenges,” Biden tweeted.

Probably, such an election result was also not expected in Europe. Germany, home to around five million Turks, most of whom are Erdogan’s electorate, has long had enough of his independent politics.

But the opposition lost, and the German chancellor can only hope for an alliance with the elected head of state.

“Germany and Turkey are close partners and allies, we are also closely linked socially and economically. Congratulations to President Erdogan on his re-election. Now we will advance our common interests with renewed vigour,” Olaf said. Scholz.

However, close partners (as Scholz puts it) are in no hurry to bring Turkey into the common European home: Ankara has been waiting for its turn to join the European Union for 36 years. Turkish companies are not used to stagnating in one place. More than significant: in his victory speech, speaking of foreign policy, Erdogan begins with Russia.

“In his congratulatory message, Mr. Putin raised the issue of Turkey’s transformation into a ‘gas hub’. We will take this step with them,” the Turkish leader said.

The status quo should continue with Erdogan’s victory: Russia and Turkey are Black Sea countries. Maintaining strong economic ties remains a priority.

“Energy is one of the most important areas of joint development. The Akkuyu nuclear power plant is a joint Russian-Turkish project, on which cooperation will continue in the future. There is another important project – a gas hub in Turkey, on which further steps are expected. In addition, Russia and Turkey can play an important role in resolving the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We must create an alternative to Western institutions. I hope that together with Russia and Iran we can create alternative economic systems to counterbalance Western hegemony,” said Turkish political scientist Onur Sinan Güzaltan.

Moreover, the voters also adhere to this idea: according to the polls, the majority affirms that the current foreign policy and the strong relations with Moscow are fully in line with their interests.

“I am satisfied with the development of foreign policy, because we do not quarrel with anyone and do not enter into conflicts. Therefore, if regional disputes arise, such as in Syria, Iran, Armenia, we can help solve them. Relations between Putin and Erdogan are good, I hope it will continue,” said Yusha Dursunoglu, a resident of Turkey.

The Turkish choice fell on a multi-vector approach, the formation of a multipolar world and the continuity of Russian-Turkish relations.

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