Will Erdoğan’s end be like Sarkozy's?

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s end has been an issue of curiosity for a long time. For some, his end is sure to be bad; but whose end will it resemble?

Before, there was reference to the fate of Adnan Menderes; a former prime minister whose life ended at the gallows. Many used to sort of indirectly threaten, saying, “Watch out, your end should not be like Menderes’ end.” Yet at one stage, it was understood that the picture showing Menderes hanging from the gallows was not working; in fact, it had a counter effect. Showing this picture to Erdoğan not only did not stop him, on the contrary it made him more resolute. This picture not only had no effect on the crowds, it led to the consolidation of his supporters standing firmly behind him.

Then, they dropped this. But they did not give up trying to discourage Tayyip Erdoğan. New examples to dissuade him were sought stubbornly and persistently.

Recently, he has been reminded of former German President Christian Wulff’s bad ending. They hoped he would give up, especially at a time when the strong winds of Dec. 17, 2013 were blowing. Unable to resist the pressure, Wulff threw in the towel very quickly. But after just a short while he regretted it. He was duped. He wrote a book saying “My Resignation was a Mistake” and returned. In contrast, Erdoğan has just gone straight ahead on his course.

Wulff was accused of taking a bribe of 720 euros and of misusing his power. It was rumored in political corridors that he was a victim of the over-ambitious Angela Merkel and that he was sidelined as he was seen as a potential rival, via a wind blown through the media and the judiciary.

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When the example of Wulff was discarded, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s tragic fate came to the rescue.

Just as Sarkozy was getting prepared for a new candidacy, he was taken into custody on corruption charges. Apparently, his rivals’ telephone conversations were tapped with his knowledge.

What better way than showing Sarkozy’s face after he had been questioned for 15 hours to tell Erdoğan that he won’t save himself, even if he is elected president?

Certainly the message got to him.

He is expected to be intimidated and to get the necessary lesson.

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Some are making comparisons between Sarkozy’s fate and what happened and what could happen to Erdoğan.

But they omit a few simple details:

That there is no such absurdity in France like a “parallel structure.” You can’t come across such a structure in elements of the police and the judiciary initiating political plots.

There is the fact that Sarkozy's illegal voice recordings were not made public while he was still residing at the Elysee Palace. There is also the fact that those who dared to broadcast the voice recordings after he left the Elysee Palace were sentenced by the courts. But none of this counts.

Sarkozy says the stick of the judiciary is being used politically in order to stop him.

Our recent history is full of examples of methods used to try former holders of power.

We will see whether or not Erdoğan will be discouraged; we will see whether or not his political career will be terminated with a bad ending.