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  "authors": [
    "Marc Pierini"
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Source: Getty

In The Media
Carnegie Europe

The Symbolic Value of the Turkey Coup Trials

The punishment of alleged traitors after Turkey’s failed July 2016 coup is paramount to reinforcing the government’s revenge narrative ahead of a constitutional referendum.

Link Copied
By Marc Pierini
Published on Mar 1, 2017

Source: France24

Carnegie Europe’s Marc Pierini joined France24 to discuss the trial of over 300 suspects allegedly involved in Turkey’s July 2016 failed coup attempt. Despite numerous trials taking place across the country, Pierini argued that the Ankara trials are the most symbolic due to their location and excessive size. With Turkey’s constitutional referendum only six weeks away, Pierini stated that the trials help reinforce the revenge narrative pushed by the government since summer 2016. If the referendum leads to the introduction of an executive presidency, Pierini supposed that Turkey’s formal demand for accession to the European Union would likely collapse, as it runs counter to the political strategy of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

This broadcast was originally aired on France24.

About the Author

Marc Pierini

Senior Fellow, Carnegie Europe

Pierini is a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, where his research focuses on developments in the Middle East and Turkey from a European perspective.

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Marc Pierini
Senior Fellow, Carnegie Europe
Marc Pierini
Political ReformEuropeTürkiyeMiddle EastIran

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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