European Parliament Calls for Suspension of Turkey's EU Membership Negotiations

On Thursday, July 6, the European Parliament voted that if Turkey implements constitutional changes to expand the powers of the president, negotiations for Turkey's EU membership should be suspended. The Turkish government dismissed this decision as invalid and erroneous. According to Reuters, the European Parliament's stance has little impact on Turkey's membership negotiations but indicates increasing tensions between the two sides. Negotiations regarding Turkey's membership have become uncertain following severe verbal disputes between leaders of several European countries and Turkey in recent months. European leaders have strongly criticized President Erdogan's policies, particularly the government's treatment of opponents both before and after last summer's failed coup. The widespread crackdown and arrests over the past year since the coup, along with the increase in presidential powers based on a referendum with very close votes, have raised concerns among Turkey's Western allies. Erdogan argues that suppressing opponents and increasing presidential powers are necessary to address Turkey's security challenges both domestically and internationally. In its resolution, the European Parliament requests that 'the European Commission and member states officially and immediately suspend negotiations for Turkey's EU membership if the set constitutional changes are implemented.' Some constitutional changes approved in April have already been implemented. Erdogan has once again officially taken the leadership of the Justice and Development Party, and senior judicial officials have been changed. Other changes, including the abolition of the prime minister's position, are expected to be implemented in the next two years. Opposition parties and human rights groups claim that these changes jeopardize judicial independence and push Turkey towards a personalist regime. The European Union has also expressed concern about these changes, but many in the European Parliament believe that the EU's official stance has not been sufficiently decisive. Kati Piri, head of the European Parliament delegation in negotiations with Turkey, stated, 'It seems that the current policy of the European Commission and EU leaders is to wait in silence and see what happens in Turkey. But this stance will benefit Erdogan's autocracy.' In contrast, Turkey's EU minister stated that Ankara considers the European Parliament's vote on Thursday to be invalid, and the Turkish Foreign Ministry also rejected it. The resolution was passed while Johannes Hahn, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, was in Ankara to negotiate with Turkish officials. Hahn told reporters, 'As an EU official, I must respect the decision of a democratic institution.' He added that he raised the issue of the rule of law in his discussions with Turkish officials. He also mentioned discussing the detention of 12 human rights activists on Wednesday with Turkish officials but did not receive a satisfactory response. Hahn stated that following last year's failed coup, Turkey has the right to protect its governmental institutions, but he added, 'I want to clearly state that we are very concerned about the government's reactions and the widespread arrests of journalists and academics.'