ИСТИНА

The paper explores the post-2023 election scenarios in Turkey and their possible implications on Turkey’s foreign policy and Russian-Turkish relations. The twin (parliamentary and presidential) elections that are scheduled to take place in June 2023 at the latest are of utmost importance for the future of Turkey and its assertive foreign policy. After nearly 20 years in power, Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rule may seem unassailable to many observers of Turkish politics. However, owing to the economic downturn and rifts in his ruling party, this will be the first election in which Erdogan is not the clear favorite. Six opposition parties of different ideological origins have come together to pick a joint presidential candidate to stand against Erdogan and to offer a common platform for restoring parliamentary democracy. If the opposition can defeat Erdogan, the new government would need to undertake the arduous tasks of establishing a meritocratic bureaucracy, restructuring Turkey’s diplomatic course and economic policy.