Striking Selçuk Bayraktar analysis from WSJ: 'Turkey's future...'

The prominent US publication Wall Street Journal (WSJ) wrote that Selçuk Bayraktar, the son-in-law of AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Chairman of the Board of BAYKAR, could be one of Turkey's potential future leaders. 

In the article by Jared Malsin and Elvan Kıvılcım, it was noted that Bayraktar TB2 drones played a significant role in slowing down Russia's invasion of Ukraine, were used by Azerbaijan against Armenian forces in 2020, and repelled the attack by Khalifa Haftar in Libya. The article stated that the success of Bayraktar drones has "turned Selçuk Bayraktar into a folk hero" in Turkey.

The article noted, "As NATO countries Romania and Poland join the list of nations seeking to buy his weapons and orders pour in, supporters are suggesting that Bayraktar should be the country's president after his father-in-law." 

Malsin and Kıvılcım wrote that wherever Bayraktar goes, he is surrounded by fans and is one of the most popular figures in the country according to polls.

"I AM NOT INVOLVED IN ACTIVE POLITICS," HE HAD SAID

In an interview with the WSJ last autumn, Bayraktar stated that he had no political ambitions but could enter elections in the future if Erdoğan requested it. Bayraktar had used the words, "Maybe I would say yes, but that depends on the conditions of that day. I am not involved in active politics."

The article stated that the backgrounds of Erdoğan's own children cannot be compared to Bayraktar's, and that his other son-in-law, Berat Albayrak, was heavily criticized while serving as Minister of Treasury and Finance. Malsin and Kıvılcım wrote the following:

"Bayraktar's fans say his success points to a more meritocratic future, describing him in terms usually reserved for figures like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk. According to analysts, Bayraktar's image as an engineer and entrepreneur represents a subtle but significant departure from Erdoğan's rule, which has weakened institutions in Turkey and centralized power around the presidency."

A SINGLE PARAGRAPH FOR İMAMOĞLU

The article gave very little space to figures from the opposition. International media had previously made assessments that Ekrem İmamoğlu could be the biggest rival to the AKP government in 2028. However, only a single paragraph was devoted to İmamoğlu in this article published on March 30.

News Source: 12punto