A former Lebanese interior minister has said that the Justice and Development Party’s victory in the Turkish parliamentary election will change the political situation, not only in Turkey, but also in the Middle East. This is especially so regarding the Palestinian issue and the Arab world in general, added Beshara Merhej.
Speaking to Quds Press on Monday, he explained that the party’s comfortable percentage will allow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to form a robust government. He also said that the Turkish poll proves that the bet on political Islam’s failure has been lost.
Nevertheless, Merhej admitted that the election results surprised everybody, as they mean a strong return for political Islam in Turkey, which will strengthen the country’s position both locally and regionally. It will end the hesitation and weakness that had prevailed due to the absence of a strong government, he suggested.
The result, the former minister pointed out, will strengthen the political institutions in Turkey, because the Turks have felt that the region is experiencing a Russia-US-Europe regional conflict, and there must be strong leadership to defend Turkey’s interests. Expressing his belief that a strong Turkey will be able to confront a strong Iran, he concluded by saying that Saudi Arabia’s position on regional issues will also now be strengthened.
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