Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is taking steps to directly influence the composition of the political opposition, sparking anxieties about the future of democracy in Turkey. For years, Erdoğan’s government has been criticized for suppressing dissent and cracking down on opposition figures. Recent actions indicate a shift from simply suppressing existing parties to actively selecting preferred candidates. This move allows Erdoğan to potentially handpick a more compliant opposition, mirroring strategies employed by leaders like Vladimir Putin in Russia and Xi Jinping in China. Critics fear this will further erode democratic processes and consolidate Erdoğan’s power. The move raises questions about Turkey’s alignment with NATO’s democratic values and its long-term political trajectory. International observers are monitoring the situation closely.