For Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk, “Erdogan has ruined everything in the past four or five years.”

The Turkish writer who won the 2006 Nobel Prize for Literature, Orhan Pamuk is in France to award the Nobel Prize for Literature Lecture series at College de France. The subject is the “paradox of the novelist”, which prompted him to investigate, too, some contradictions in his country, with the elections of May 14 approaching, a ballot marked by the fact that he could not be won. by President Erdogan, for the first time in two decades.

How has Türkiye changed over the past twenty years?

There was tremendous economic growth, but the change that took place during this period was not uniform. Turks were able to consume more, and even benefit, in the first decade of Erdogan’s power, not only from this economic boom, but also from freedoms. Their word was not restricted but respected. However, in the past ten years, all of that has been reversed. In the end, the change drops to zero. Some social and economic experts say that Türkiye has fallen behind compared to other countries.

When did this reversal occur?

I think there were two turning points: the first was the attempted military coup [le 15 juillet 2016] Which the Turks bravely resisted when they took to the streets. This event made the ruling party [AKP, Parti de la justice et du développement] Erdogan is very aggressive. The military coup was rejected, and the Turkish people did not accept it. It was also a great opportunity “A gift from God” In power, Erdogan said. He abused this opportunity by restricting freedom of speech, putting thousands in jail and turning himself into a single and powerful ruler.

The second turning point is the revision of the constitution [en 2017]He is destined to concentrate all power in his hands. Unfortunately, this was supported first of all by the Turkish people, because the people trusted him. By becoming a strong leader, he marginalized pro-Western, reasonable, educated and wise figures. He did not listen to them [notamment sur le plan économique]That is why, in the past five years, the Turks have become poorer. In central Anatolia, conservatives still support it, but how can they still love it if they eat less onions and tomatoes because of inflation? He is aware of this.

Does Erdogan’s party, the Justice and Development Party, have a project to change the economy and society?

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