Deep Dive: Erdoğan calls on youth to lead Türkiye’s future

From a geopolitical lens, Erdoğan's call to youth reflects Türkiye's strategic positioning as a pivotal actor bridging Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. With its young population—over 60% under 35—Türkiye seeks to harness demographic dividends amid economic pressures and regional tensions like the Syria conflict and Black Sea dynamics. Historically, youth have been central to Turkish politics, from the 1960s student movements to the 2013 Gezi protests, shaping Erdoğan's AK Party's navigation of secularism versus Islamism debates. As an international correspondent, this rhetoric signals potential shifts in Türkiye's foreign policy continuity, where youth mobilization could bolster soft power through education reforms and tech hubs like Istanbul's startup ecosystem, influencing migration flows to Europe and trade with the EU. Cross-border implications extend to NATO allies, as a youth-led future might alter Türkiye's balancing act between Western alliances and Russian energy ties, affecting energy security in Southeastern Europe. Regionally, in Türkiye's Anatolian heartland and urban centers like Ankara, cultural emphasis on youth empowerment draws from Ottoman-era youth training corps and Ataturk's republican ideals, countering brain drain to Germany and Gulf states. Key actors include Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP), youth organizations like TÜGVA, and opposition figures wary of co-optation. This matters as it addresses unemployment among graduates, fostering stability or risking unrest if unfulfilled, with outlook tied to 2028 elections.