There is an air of amazement among the recently settled foreign community in Turkey. How can a government that is embroiled in scandal still pole an overwhelming majority of the vote? How can a government that bans Twitter and You Tube and threatens to eradicate all social media still win the hearts of the people? Lack of a strong opposition is a creditable answer but the education system in this country should take either a bow or the blame depending on your political outlook. I decided to take my daughter out of the Turkish school system early on when I realised it was an indoctrination rather than an education. Learning is by rote. Points are gained by memorising. There is no room for creative thinking. Kids learn to do as they are told and more importantly to think as they are told. When you have trained your population this way it's easy to get them to vote for the guy who shouts the loudest. They've spent their whole lives doing it. If he has also given them better living conditions how can you expect them not to. They have not been trained to look for consequences or ulterior motives.
If you look at the map, you'll see why the present incumbent's claim that foreign interests are against him will be believed by the people living away from the borders.
What of Bodrum - this area has always been at odds with whatever government is in power. It was, after all, where political exiles were sent to keep them out of the way. It's very name is synonymous with free-thinking in Turkey and has been home to poets, artists, musicians, sailors and everyone for whom the desk-job was not an option.
A resounding success for Mehmet Kocadon, voted in with 52% of the vote for his second term as Mayor, the AK party fielding just 9% of the vote. Three cheers from this household!
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