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.