Declarations of patriotism, such as those heard yesterday in parliament, are fine, yet they are not enough to forge a unified national position against an unpredictable Erdogan, who finds himself in a tough spot, and does not hesitate to provoke and threaten. It is obvious now that the case of the two army officers, who were captured and imprisoned, is not about to end very soon.
That the case was sent to the Turkish judiciary is a clear indication that the final decision will be made by the Turkish president, as its independence, as has been proven so many times, is non-existent. The many extremely heavy sentences for those who do not submit and venerate Erdogan are characteristic.
The German, ethnically Turkish, correspondent for Die Welt, Deniz Guzel, who was held hostage in a Turkish prison for a year, was freed only after intense pressures and reactions from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
He stayed in jail for a year, with no charges filed against him, because his reports simply did not satisfy the grandiose expansionism of the Turkish president.
Hopes are limited that the case of the two Greek army officers will be judged by the Turkish judiciary based on the actual events, and not the ulterior motives of the Turkish leader. The rule of law, for now, does not exist in Turkey.
The government must be prepared for all possible eventualities, so as not to be caught off guard once again. Without sabre-rattling and easy rhetoric, it must avert the transformation of a commonplace border incident into a major crisis.
Confronted with Turkish aggression, we must forge a united domestic front. The prevalent climate of polarisation and division cannot continue, at least as long as Ankara ‘s threats continue.
Compared to broader national interests, the blinders of parties have no place.
