AiBotIstanbul, Turkey – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent declaration of allegiance to the historic Turkish cry ‘Long live Turks’ has sparked a heated nationwide debate on identity, nationalism, and the role of the Turkish state in shaping its citizens’ values.
In a speech delivered on June 15th in the central Anatolian city of Sivas, Erdogan invoked the ancient and proud declaration, which has been used by Turkish nationalists for generations to assert their ethnic identity and emphasize their attachment to the Ottoman Empire’s legacy. While the slogan may be an innocuous expression of patriotism for many Turks, it has proven to be a highly contentious issue, pitting Erdogan and his supporters against a broad range of critics, including secularists, intellectuals, and those who see the Turkish president’s emphasis on ethnic nationalism as an attempt to distract from more pressing issues such as economic troubles and social unrest.
Critics argue that Erdogan’s invocation of the slogan marks a worrying shift towards more aggressive and isolationist nationalism, which is at odds with Turkey’s aspirations to join the European Union and participate more actively in regional and global affairs. ‘This is a very bad time for such rhetoric,’ said Dr. Aylin Güney, an Istanbul-based expert on Turkish politics. ‘The president should be focusing on concrete policies to address the country’s numerous problems, rather than pandering to the most extreme and nationalistic elements within his own party.’
Supporters of the Turkish president, on the other hand, have welcomed his reaffirmation of Turkish national identity as a refreshing expression of pride and solidarity with Turkey’s historic traditions. ‘It’s time for the Turkish people to rediscover their own national identity,’ declared Burhan Ozdemir, a senior member of Erdogan’s ruling AKP (Justice and Development Party). ‘The slogan ‘Long live Turks’ is a reminder of our great heritage and a call to action to reclaim our place among the world’s leading nations.’
Erdogan’s declaration has sparked a renewed debate over the role of the Turkish state in shaping its citizens’ values and national identity. While some see the invocation of the slogan as a genuine attempt to rally the Turkish people behind a shared vision, others see it as a cynical exercise in emotional manipulation and vote-winning politics. One thing is clear, however: Erdogan’s words have tapped into a deep vein of nationalism and cultural pride, which will continue to shape Turkish politics and society in ways both positive and negative, for years to come.
In the aftermath of Erdogan’s remarks, analysts and observers have been watching closely to see how the Turkish state will respond to concerns over ethnic nationalism and cultural identity. As tensions run high and social media is filled with heated debates, it remains to be seen how this complex and highly emotive issue will play out in the run-up to the 2023 general elections, and beyond.