Skip to main content

Never-ending 'emergency' in Turkey is actually creating one

The government's self-extended empowerment has become a way of life in Turkey, causing grievances even among security personnel.
Lawyer Ruken Arslan detained by riot police during the trial of two Turkish teachers, who went on a hunger strike over their dismissal under a government decree following last year's failed coup, outside of a courthouse in Ankara, Turkey September 14, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC11F5408250

The phrase "state of emergency" sort of loses its urgency after more than a year. Yet Turkey’s National Security Council met under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the end of October and recommended extending the state of emergency for three months — for the fifth time.

Although officials have relaxed some rules on foreign travel, commercial activities and appointments and affairs of civil servants, nobody expects emergency rule to be abandoned before the summer of 2018.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.