Confirmed: Rutte, Erdogan just gave a great show!

The ruthless Machiavellian opportunists like Erdogan and the European establishment politicians do not hesitate to spread the hate across the people just to serve their micro-political ambitions

globinfo freexchange

It was too obvious. From the start of the recent crisis between Netherlands and Turkey, many analysts pointed that it was related with yesterday's Dutch elections and the Turkish constitutional referendum of April, 16. Indeed, the conflict proved very convenient for the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, and the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who both gained ground to fulfil their targets concerning these political events.

Indeed, Rutte managed to slowdown the rise of his Far-Right main opponent, Geert Wilders, by showing that he can be as tough as him against Muslims or other minorities. Erdogan, on the other side, hopes to unite the Turks abroad behind him as the polls so far show that his victory in the oncoming referendum is far from certain. It appears that his extreme rhetoric is quite effective so far if we see the reactions of Turks inside Turkey and abroad.

Yet, if you still want a proof that this was just a hardcore political show, just take a look at the recent statement of Turkey's minister for EU affairs. From arabnews :

Dutch investment in Turkey is not at risk from the diplomatic row between the two countries as Ankara’s ire is focused on the Dutch government, not its people or businesses, Turkey’s minister for EU affairs told Reuters.

Turkey suspended high-level diplomatic relations with the Netherlands on Monday, banning the Dutch ambassador from the country and preventing diplomatic flights from landing in retaliation for the Dutch barring Ankara’s ministers from speaking to rallies of overseas Turks.

Despite the furor, Minister Omer Celik said Ankara was making a call to businesses worldwide that Turkey was a safe country for investment. “Dutch businessmen who invest, have businesses and create employment in Turkey are included in this (call). They are definitely not part of the crisis,” Celik said in an interview late on Tuesday. Asked if Dutch companies active in Turkey would be affected by the row, Celik said: “The private sector, business world, tourists and the people of the Netherlands are not a part of the crisis.”

Got it? It is remarkable how the 'holy' investors, one of the sacred cows of neoliberalism and free market are left out of such a hard conflict, especially from the Turkish side. So, the authoritarian Turkish president can insult the Europeans with names like 'fascists' or even 'nazis'. He can blame the Dutch for a massacre in Srebrenica, yet the investors remain untouchable and out of any potential sanctions from the beginning! Money is above all and both Rutte and Erdogan need money for their parties from their 'honorable' private donors after all.

The hand of extreme nationalism cannot touch the sacred cows of neoliberalism.

Also recall that, according to Die Welt, “German Chancellor Merkel and Dutch PM Rutte agreed a refugee quota with Turkey in 2016 without informing other EU leaders. They reportedly pledged to accept up to 250,000 Syrian refugees per year.”

So, you should not be surprised by this hardcore political show staged by Erdogan in cooperation with politicians of the European establishment. It's a win-win situation for them. It seems that they have a good 'underground' communication.

In reality, the current political status in Europe is quite convenient for Erdogan because it is certain that with the Far-Right in power he will have a big problem. So, this latest show may help both Rutte and Erdogan to extend their presence in power. However, it was a very dangerous and even irresponsible gambling which may bring serious problems in the long-term.

Fanaticism grows fast in Europe and the Muslim world. Such dangerous political games can boost fanaticism further, leading to very dangerous situations. The ruthless Machiavellian opportunists like Erdogan and the European establishment politicians do not hesitate to spread the hate across the people just to serve their micro-political ambitions.