Ankara leans on 'moral' values as part of a broader religious conservative political strategy

Ankara is strategically leveraging religiously conservative rhetoric and "family values" to bolster its political standing, particularly among nationalist and conservative constituencies. This approach has become a notable feature of the current political landscape, according to experts speaking to The Jerusalem Post.

The strategy is underscored by recent events, including the detention of over 50 individuals at a banned Pride event in Istanbul and the denial of docking permission to a planned LGBT cruise. Authorities cited reasons such as "behavior incompatible with our society's structure and moral values" for refusing the cruise ship entry. These actions contrast with Turkey's legal framework, where same-sex relations have been legal since 1858.

Geopolitical analyst Burak Can Çelik explains that this trend signifies a state increasingly integrating religion and conservative values into its political structure, rather than a wholesale shift in societal religiosity. He points out that Turkish society remains diverse, with some data suggesting younger and urban populations are not uniformly becoming more religious. Instead, the government's political use of conservative identity has become more pronounced.

Critics argue that these measures effectively criminalize LGBT identities, despite legal protections. Concerns have also been raised by proposed legislation that could criminalize behavior deemed "contrary to biological sex and general morality." The economic impact is also noted, with the canceled LGBT cruise alone estimated to cost the Turkish economy about $1 million.