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reTurkey doesn’t need any more bad news. The economy is suffering from the massive devaluation of the Turkish lira, and the Covid-19 pandemic has catapulted Turkey into one of the worst affected countries in a short time. If EU sanctions are also added, the country would be further weakened. The sanctions are coming. They are made possible by human rights violations and, increasingly, by Turkish provocations in the eastern Mediterranean.
Until now, the federal government has opposed a tougher pace, for good reason. Because in the past, threats and symbolic sanctions faded over and over again; Erdogan did not let himself be diverted from his course. On the contrary, they led to solidarity in domestic politics. For the German government, however, it is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid sanctions such as those required by France and Greece.
Despite all the guarantees, Turkey has done nothing to reduce tensions in the Mediterranean or to introduce reforms that could restore confidence in the country’s judiciary. President Erdogan carried the jar of advertisements into the well for a long time before it broke. To remain credible, the EU will not be able to avoid sanctions. It is tragic that this is not likely to change Ankara’s behavior either.
