International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

Erdoğan's new journey in old direction

Metin Feyyaz — 2023-07-23T13:39:46Z

Just after his difficult “triumph” at Presidential elections, Erdoğan's cabinet has signaled slight changes on some policy matters. The new Finance Minister has come back from London, leaving behind his work at Merrill Lynch global investment management company and has increased interest rates. Neoliberals in Turkey had been demanding an increase in rates to attract foreign capital from global financial institutions but the low interest rate policy has been strongly defended by Erdoğan before the elections.

- IV582 - July 2023 / Turkey

An Uneasy Alliance on the Left

Metin Feyyaz — 2023-05-24T06:44:59Z

“As a result of the election, for the first time since the 1960s, a socialist party won 1 million votes and 1.7 percent (although it did not enter the elections in many cities) and brought the number of its members to 50 thousand, making a significant contribution towards building a mass socialist party.”

- IV580 - May 2023 / Turkey

Cost of potato vs cost of a bullet

Metin Feyyaz — 2020-09-03T07:52:48Z

It would not be too wrong to suggest that there was a strong workers' movement in Turkey in the last decade. Especially while the economy was growing fast, workers' demands for better wages and working conditions were also present. This can be observed through some major spontaneous workers uprisings such as the one in the auto industry in May 2015 or airport construction workers from 2018. But actually it is a general trend much more than a few random major uprisings, over last 10 years, (…)

- IV548 - September 2020 / Turkey, Covid-19 Pandemic

Turkey's Newest Tiny Foreign Enemy to Unite the Nation

Metin Feyyaz — 2020-04-25T11:32:33Z

“Those who criticize the pandemic precautions, are waging a war against their own country…Other countries wouldn't allow these sorts of publications even for one day. Those terrorist organizations, media, political organizations which are trying to demoralize our nation will be drowned in the hatred of our nation.” says President Erdoğan, after his Government received harsh criticisms from head of the main opposition party regarding their policy towards pandemic.

- IV543 - April 2020 / Turkey, Covid-19 Pandemic

A new episode in the struggle of Turkish car workers

Metin Feyyaz — 2020-02-08T09:53:14Z

The Turkish engineering industry has grown exponentially over the last fifteen years. From 285,737 vehicles in 2001, automotive production has grown to 1,749,572 vehicles in 2017. Turkey is the largest exporter of cars to the European Union, with assembly plants of Fiat, Renault, Mercedes, MAN, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, Ford, etc., and a number of other companies. But the resistance and organization of workers has developed in parallel with this period of industry expansion.

- IV541 - February 2020 / Turkey

Spirit of war in Turkey: Party of War vs Party of Bread

Metin Feyyaz — 2019-10-24T17:48:17Z

The alleged jubilation at the start of the First World War in Germany is called Spirit of 1914 by some people. If we use the same example we can call current public sentiment about war in Turkey Spirit of 2019.

- IV537 - October 2019 / Turkey, Kurdistan

Turkey's Defiant Working Class: From Offense to Defense

Metin Feyyaz — 2018-11-22T09:06:20Z

“He is afraid that it will be like TEKEL, he is afraid that they will come and occupy the square and won't leave.”

Muharrem Güler, who was Governor of ?stanbul at that time, explaining why Erdo?an was afraid of Gezi Park demonstrations with reference to the TEKEL Tobacco workers strike from 2010.

- IV526 - November 2018 / Turkey

Class war ?n t?me of war

Metin Feyyaz — 2018-02-04T08:19:10Z

“Now, on the basis of State of Emergency we instantly intervene in any place where there is threat of strike. We say no, we don't let any strike happen here.”

Recep Tayyip Erdo?an (during the meeting organized by YASED, International Investors Association on 12 July 2017)

“So some will rise again and again to engage in a strike… Pardon me, but there will be no such thing…” Recep Tayyip Erdo?an

(during the speech at the 24th General Assembly Meeting of MÃœS?AD on 7 June 2017 )

“If you follow this call (call to protest Afrin operation) and make the mistake to go on the streets (to protest), you will pay the price very seriously. This is a national struggle. Whatever comes ahead of us in this national struggle, we will crash it and move on, you know that. No concessions, no minimal flexibility.” Recep Tayyip Erdo?an (during his speech on 21 January announcing operation “Olive Branch”)

- IV517 - February 2018 / Turkey, Trade unions/workplace organizing

Trouble in paradise: A cautionary tale for big capital in Turkey

Metin Feyyaz — 2015-05-29T08:00:56Z

For some time now, Recep Erdogan, Turkey's former Prime Minister and current President, has been promoting the dream of turning Turkey into the “China of Europe.” Last April, when Economy Minister Zafer Ã‡a?layan met with foreign investors in London he declared with pride that “labor costs in Turkey are even lower than in China.” At a meeting with the Turkish business comunity in 2010, Eric Schweitzer, head of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce, noted that “exports from Turkey to Germany have tripled in last 20 years and Turkey can become the China of Europe.”

- IV484 - May 2015 / Turkey, Trade unions/workplace organizing