Why the EU Remains Silent on Türkiye's Anti-Democratic Crackdowns

The European Union's reluctance to take decisive action following the arrest of the Istanbul mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, and the subsequent mass protests in Türkiye has drawn criticism from many corners. The European Union has issued statements about Türkiye’s democratic values, but the most important figures, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, have remained quiet about the matter. This has allowed a ground for critics to speculate the argument that economic and geopolitical factors matter more to the EU than democratic principles and human rights protection.

The ruling party arrested Imamoglu on corruption allegations shortly before his nomination for the 2028 presidential race from the Republican People's Party (CHP). This triggered Türkiye’s largest demonstrations in more than ten years. Protesters have been demanding the rule of law and an end to corruption. At least 1,000 protesters, who included members of the press, have been arrested, which generates concerns about Türkiye’s extreme authoritarian shift.

At a time when President Trump's administration is attempting to reach a comprehensive agreement with the Kremlin and is openly hostile toward its European allies, Turkey is vital to European security for several reasons. Senior Turkish officials took center stage as European leaders began organizing security cooperation without the U.S. after Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's disastrous White House meeting. Along with the United Kingdom, Norway, and Canada, Turkey is listed as a crucial partner in maintaining European security in the European Union's new defense white paper, which details Europe's huge rearmament push.

Türkiye's candidacy status for EU membership continues despite the stalled negotiation process. However, the union is still offering billions of euros in financial backing for refugees and membership preparation assistance. As Türkiye serves as a crucial partner for migration control, it also plays an essential role in energy and defense alliances. Moreover, the future possibility of Türkiye collaborating in a Ukrainian peacekeeping mission has received consideration from certain European political leaders. Director Dimitar Bechev of Oxford University College informs that Erdogan utilizes this knowledge to imply "whatever he does, the EU will have to tag along with it." The combination of military capabilities, NATO membership, and defense sector advancement gives Türkiye great strategic value for Europe as it works to break free from US security dominance regarding the changing power dynamics Trump pushes for. This unstable relation between US and European leaders forces them to maintain positive ties with Türkiye while it continues to display democratic regression.

The value that Türkiye holds for Europe reaches further than protecting the EU's borders. The country acts as a central gateway for energy exports. The strategic position of Türkiye remains vital for Europe because of this since ongoing initiatives to decrease Russian energy dependence require Türkiye’s location for success.

Many European officials express their worries about the current developments in Türkiye even though they maintain their economic and strategic relations with Ankara. Türkiye’s former ambassador to the EU, Selim Yenel, noted that Europe expects cooperation on issues such as Türkiye sending troops to Ukraine in the future and said, "The EU needs Türkiye, so they will not put pressure on us."

EU institutions have adopted a practical stance toward Turkish democratic problems more than once before. The EU postponed the release of a crucial document that analyzed Türkiye’s freedom of expression during talks about slowing immigration routes because Erdogan's leadership might be antagonized. The present Turkish political turmoil alongside the government crackdown signals a new turning point in domestic politics and, simultaneously, doubt about the EU's upcoming stance toward Türkiye. During the 2013 Gezi Park movements, Erdogan allegedly manipulated information to portray protesters as endangering Türkiye’s stability, which motivated his supporters and foreign powers to remain silent. Erdogan seemingly strives to repeat his 2013 tactic by portraying the opposition and protesters as being supported by foreign elements aiming to undermine his rule.

However, the situation now presents greater challenges to those in power. Türkiye now deals with severe economic problems while its global position has become weaker than in 2013. Foreign investor confidence in Türkiye has significantly fallen due to the finance minister’s ongoing attempts at reassurance in the past two years following the capture of Imamoglu. The domestic conditions inside Türkiye show a state of ongoing instability. The economic condition of Türkiye remains in a worse state than it was for a long time because of this political chaos. The currency value of the lira has collapsed even more since the start of the protests, with the dollar exchange rate reaching an all-time high at 42 TL/$ on the day of arrest. The instability requires an immediate government response from Erdogan's administration, but his continuous arrests and forceful actions have been worsening the crisis.

Ultimately, the EU’s response—or lack thereof—to the current crisis in Türkiye reflects the broader tensions between its values and its strategic interests. While many in Brussels may privately condemn Erdogan’s actions, the reality is that Türkiye remains too important a partner for Europe to risk a major diplomatic rupture. For Turkish protesters demanding democracy and the rule of law, this pragmatic approach feels like a betrayal. As Erdogan continues to consolidate power, the question remains: How much more erosion of democracy will it take for Europe to take action?

Edited by: Melisa Altintas