Striking analysis of the Republic's 100th anniversary from French media: Erdoğan has tested the limits of secular traditions

French news agency AFP has published a comprehensive report on the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Republic. 

"CELEBRATED IN THE SHADOW OF THE GAZA WAR"

In the report prepared in English, the headline “Turkey celebrates its 100th anniversary in the shadow of the Gaza war” was used. The report noted, “Turkey is celebrating the centenary of its founding as a post-Ottoman republic on Sunday with somewhat muted festivities, in the shadow of Israel’s escalating war with Hamas in Gaza. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will be at the center of day-long events that both honor the founder of the secular republic and highlight the success of the Islamist-rooted party that has governed Turkey since 2002.”

Stating that Erdoğan and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk are the “visionary figures” of modern Turkey, AFP pointed out that Atatürk built a new nation from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire. The report commented, “Turkey was founded as a Western-facing nation that removed religion from state institutions and sought to create a new, modern identity from countless ethnic groups. It became a proud member of NATO and also a center of democratic hopes in the Middle East.”

“ERDOĞAN HAS TESTED THE LIMITS OF SECULAR TRADITIONS”

The report stated, “Atatürk’s transformation of this overwhelmingly Muslim nation, both socially and geopolitically, created divisions that still weigh heavily on Turkish politics today.”

The French agency’s report continued with the comment, “Erdoğan capitalized on these divisions as he brought his conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) to power against the left-leaning Republican People’s Party (CHP) founded by Atatürk. He has spent much of the last decade testing the limits of Turkey’s secular traditions and its ties to the West.”

“ATTENTION SHIFTED AWAY FROM TURKEY’S BIRTHDAY PARTY”

Stating that the October 29 celebrations were overshadowed by Erdoğan’s harsh attacks against Israel, AFP commented, “Turkish state television also halted the broadcast of concerts and other festivities due to the alarming humanitarian tragedy in Gaza. Erdoğan’s lifelong defense of Palestinian rights has turned him into a hero across much of the Muslim world.” The report also noted that Israel withdrew its diplomats from Turkey following Erdoğan’s statements.

The analysis concluded with the reminder, “The growing diplomatic crisis has shifted attention from Turkey’s birthday party to Erdoğan’s handling of global relations. Turkey has gone through difficult periods with its Western allies.”