Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, criticized the Eurovision Song Contest, accusing it of promoting gender neutralization and threatening the traditional family. Erdogan referred to participants in the contest as “Trojan horses of social corruption” and defended his government’s decision to keep Turkey out of the competition since 2012. The president specifically targeted Swiss singer Nemo, who won this year’s contest with a song about embracing a nonbinary identity, as an example of the alleged social corruption promoted by the event.
Erdogan’s comments reflect his government’s stance on LGBTQ rights, which has become less tolerant in recent years. The ruling Justice and Development Party, rooted in Turkey’s Islamic movement, sees events like the Eurovision Song Contest as promoting values that go against traditional Turkish culture. Erdogan stated that such events make it “impossible to meet a normal person,” indicating his disapproval of the LGBTQ community and progressive values associated with the competition.
In addition to criticizing the Eurovision Song Contest, Erdogan expressed concern about Turkey’s declining birth rates, which he described as an “existential threat” and a “disaster” for the country. The State Statistical Institute recently announced that Turkey’s birth rate had dropped to 1.51 children per woman in 2023, well below the government’s goal of encouraging families to have at least three children. Erdogan has long emphasized the importance of large families in supporting the country’s growth and stability.
The Turkish president’s comments reflect his conservative views on social issues and his government’s efforts to promote traditional family values in the face of what he perceives as threats to Turkish identity. Erdogan’s stance on LGBTQ rights and progressive values stands in contrast to the Eurovision Song Contest’s reputation as a safe haven for the LGBTQ community. By criticizing the contest and linking it to perceived social corruption and threats to the traditional family, Erdogan is appealing to his conservative base and reinforcing his government’s stance on these issues.
Erdogan’s speech highlights the ongoing cultural and social tensions in Turkey, where traditional values are increasingly pitted against progressive ideals. The president’s condemnation of the Eurovision Song Contest and his call for increased birth rates reflect broader debates about gender, identity, and family in Turkish society. Erdogan’s government faces criticism for its handling of LGBTQ rights and its efforts to promote conservative values, with the president’s comments adding fuel to these contentious issues and shaping public discourse on social issues in Turkey.
Overall, Erdogan’s remarks on the Eurovision Song Contest and Turkey’s birth rates underscore the complex social and political dynamics at play in the country. By linking these seemingly unrelated issues, the president is addressing broader concerns about cultural values, demographic trends, and national identity. Erdogan’s comments are likely to resonate with his conservative supporters while further polarizing public opinion on LGBTQ rights and societal norms in Turkey.
