Turks in Europe are being canvassed by Turkey's ministers for a constitutional referendum. Europe doesn't approve. Crisis follows.
Turkey and the EU : a complex relationship
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Turkey and EU countries are witnessing tension due to the Constitutional Referendum coming up. Till the time the Turkish President started a strong campaign for April 2017’s referendum on constitutional reforms, which will allow him more terms, the relations between Turkey and the EU were relatively stable. Trouble started when the Turkish President’s allies prepared plans to organise rallies in European cities to garner support among the large number of Turks living in Europe who are eligible to vote in next month’s referendum. Some European countries like Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands banned these rallies citing security concerns and domestic political consequences. Read many Bodhi Saars on Protectionism and Nationalism here
However, the Turkish President turned it into a Turkey versus West dispute. He even went on to label those German towns which had banned such rallies as “Nazi practices”. He termed the Netherlands as “facist” when it refused landing permission to the plane carrying Turkish foreign minister on his way to address rallies in that country. Thereafter, relations between the two countries deteriorated rapidly, and culminated in the removal of the Dutch Ambassador from Turkey. Turkey has also threatened to scrap an agreement signed last year with Europe to curb passage of migrants through Turkey in return for financial assistance from EU. The referendum is crucial for the Turkish President to overhaul Turkish political system, as Turkey will convert to a Presidential form of government if the referendum is through. This would enable him to remain for two more terms without contest.
The diplomatic crisis has been changed into a political battle. But the crisis could have serious consequences. European leadres fear that it could result into help to the anti-Muslim far-right parties in the continent. View Bodhi Shiksha videos on World Politics here The Dutch far-right candidate who contested in the recently held elections, has already questioned the loyalty of the Dutch Muslims and demanded tough response to Turkey. The Turkish President could earn short-term gains from this move, but could seriously damage ties between Turkey and Europe, and endanger the prospects of Turkish people living in Europe. Read a full Bodhi on Tectonic Shifts in World Politics The crisis could have been avoided by a direct dialogue between the EU countries and Turkey instead of extreme steps by them.
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