Recep Tayyip Erdoğan political consolidation and identity

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reshaped the Turkish political landscape by centralizing executive power and transforming the country’s political economy. Following the 2016 attempted coup, the consolidation of authority accelerated, intertwining executive power with national security, public employment, and government contracts. Critics suggest this has replaced previous forms of state tutelage with a personalized version of authority.

This political identity is further characterized by a strong connection to the Ottoman Empire, a concept often described as ‘Neo-Ottomanism.’ Erdoğan integrates historical heritage into modern politics through rhetoric referencing historical leaders and state projects that utilize Seljuk and Ottoman architectural styles, such as the Presidential Complex in Beştepe.

In recent addresses to the cabinet, Erdoğan has reinforced this connection to historical roots, rejecting interpretations that attempt to separate the Republic of Türkiye from its Seljuk and Ottoman heritage. He characterized such views as malicious ‘social engineering projects.’

On the international stage, Erdoğan has signaled a commitment to a multipolar world, highlighting Turkey’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and expressing intentions to expand trade volume with the organization. He has also asserted that Turkey will not be deterred by external actors, stating, ‘We will not allow anyone to perform surgery on these lands,’ in reference to attempts to undermine the nation’s stability.