Turkey: President Erdogan casts himself as father of all Turks - by Apostolos Doxiadis

For the Turkish president this trip is the perfect opportunity to polish up his image at home, the Greek author Apostolos Doxiadis writes in Libération:

“Erdoğan is the only one who can hope to benefit from this visit - although any positive effects won't extend beyond Turkey's borders. ... When visiting the Greek region of Thrace on Friday the Turkish president wants to address the Turkish-speaking Muslim minority there. The visit will help him to strengthen his favourite image of himself: that of the 'father of all Turks'. Although he's increasingly isolated in the West and his authoritarianism has been condemned by the European leaders, this trip to Greece provides him with an opportunity to give audiences at home the impression that he continues to maintain good relations 'with Europe'.”

 EU-Digest