"Erdogan's irritating show" is the title of today's article in the online edition of Der Spiegel magazine on Muslim prayer in Hagia Sophia today. The columnist notes that the Turkish President honors his reputation as an "experienced populist", who with all sorts of "magic" attempts to deal with the decline of his popularity.
"For Erdogan, the reuse of the historic building as a mosque is an important symbolic act. In this way he is able to present himself as a decisive leader and defender of the interests of highly religious and / or nationalist Turks ", the German magazine reports and points out that many Turks at the same time, especially in secular Istanbul, will nod their heads they will wonder why the President is not using his time to deal with the coronavirus crisis or the Turkish economy, which is facing major problems.
"Meanwhile, the controversy erupted by Erdogan over gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean is escalating," Spiegel said, noting that French President Emanuel Macron had called for new European sanctions against Turkey. "It seeks to halt Erdogan's plans to secure gas fields in favor of Turkey, which are said to be located between the islands of Cyprus and Crete. These deposits are in fact claimed by Greece, the author emphasizes and quotes a relevant statement by President Macron: "I fully support Cyprus and Greece in relation to the Turkish violations of their sovereignty."
The article closes with a reference to the situation that prevails in the last days near Kastelorizo and the possible role of Chancellor Angela Merkel. "It is said in Berlin that Chancellor Merkel wants to mediate in the dispute. He already knows how it is done. "If the chancellor could charge Erdogan with the many hours he has worked with him for mediation of any kind, she would be a rich woman - and he would have gone bankrupt," Spiegel reported.
Source: RES-EAP