FROM ATATÜRK TO ERDOGAN: A century of transformations in Türkiye
This month, Turks are celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the founding of their Republic. Established in 1923 by the visionary Moustafa Kemal Atatürk, modern Turkey has experienced a trajectory marked by profound social, economic and political changes. However, in recent times, there has been a wind of controversy over Atatürk’s legacy, with current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeking to instill a new vision for the country.
Atatürk, nicknamed the “Father of the Turks”, plunged Turkey into the 20th century by introducing bold reforms. He established secularism as the cornerstone of the Republic, promoted the emancipation of women, the right to vote and education, and even introduced a new Latin alphabet for the Turkish language in 1928. These measures profoundly transformed society Turkish and gave it a boost towards modernity.
However, Erdogan’s critics say he seeks to reverse these gains by favoring a conservative and religious “new Turkey.” Its draft new constitution promising more rights to veiled women, giving a central place to the family and limiting marriage to heterosexual couples, raises concerns about the regression of individual freedoms and gender equality.
The controversial decision to convert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque in July 2020 was also seen as an affront to Atatürk’s legacy. The basilica was transformed into a museum in 1934 by Atatürk, who wanted to make it a symbol of openness and unity by offering this historic place to humanity. This reconversion into a mosque has been interpreted as a return to a more religious vision and a questioning of the secularism of the State.
Some analysts point out that this tension between Atatürk’s legacy and the country’s current direction can be seen as authoritarian treatment itself inherited from Atatürk’s period. French historian Jean-François Colosimo argues that the authoritarianism criticized by Erdogan was already present in the methods of Atatürk, who quickly and coercively implemented reforms to westernize and modernize Turkey.
As the centenary of the Republic is celebrated, it is essential to recognize the achievements of modern Turkey, while remaining vigilant about possible regressions in individual rights and freedoms. Turkey is facing a period of transition and redefinition of its identity. Time will tell whether Atatürk’s legacy will be preserved or reshaped by Erdogan’s ambitions.