ANKARA – Is Selçuk Bayraktar prepping to enter politics? The 44-year-old Turkish drone magnate has recently increased his political messaging and hired a new publicity team, raising speculation over his intent to succeed his father-in-law, Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Information obtained by Turkey recap indicates a special public relations team has been formed for Bayraktar, and Ankara lawmakers now expect the young business leader to make a surprise statement in the coming days.
This new PR team is expected to work on Bayraktar's political statements as well as his social media accounts.
Bayraktar has apparently chosen not to work with an external firm to prevent the exposure of confidential defense projects at the drone manufacturer Baykar, where Bayraktar currently serves as chairperson, meaning the new PR team will be incorporated within the company structure.
Speaking to Turkey recap, sources close to the AKP confirmed they also heard Bayraktar was making such preparations.
"Even if this kind of an effort has been started, it is not possible to carry out this work openly without seeing a sign from President Erdoğan," said one source who withheld their name.
Officials with the Baykar group declined to comment on Bayraktar’s PR team and prospects for a presidential run, but pointed Turkey recap to his previous comments on the issue, in which Bayraktar displayed willingness to enter politics if needed.
In response to ongoing rumors, Baykar officials claimed their only agenda was "the defense projects they have developed for our country.”
Yet there have been some noticeable changes in Bayraktar's social media usage. At this year’s Teknofest, he was pictured in many classic politician poses with women and children, and his latest messaging emphasizes his character as a successful but modest business person without arrogance.
Bayraktar has also been sharing posts beyond his usual technology topics and began using more inclusive messages for all segments of society, frequently stressing the importance of Erdoğan’s "Century of Türkiye" campaign in his posts.
New media outlet
Additionally, the newly established GDH Digital media company has grabbed attention and further fueled speculation. The company was founded by journalist Cüneyt Polat, who is known to have close ties with Bayraktar and former Turkish technology minister Mustafa Varank.
Polat also frequently shares posts about Bayraktar on his social media account. It’s rumored in Ankara that GDH Digital is preparing to produce broadcasts supporting Bayraktar in the coming days, and they are also a part of preparations for 'the throne'.
In Turkey, politicians’ proximity and relations with media organizations have long been a topic of interest, particularly in the way leaders use media channels in times of crisis.
For example, Turkuvaz Media – headed by Serhat Albayrak, the older brother of another son-in-law of Erdoğan, Berat Albayrak – has been relaying pro-government messages for years through Sabah newspaper and A Haber.
Berk Esen, an assoc. prof. of political science at Sabancı University, noted Bayraktar's name has been mentioned in many different media environments over the last year. Esen said Bayraktar was involved in the government's campaign during May 2023 and believes he will likely assume a more significant political role in the near future.
"[Bayraktar] signaled this, both with his statements about active politics and by engaging in polemics with some opposition politicians and chairmen on behalf of Erdoğan," Esen said while adding it is too early to comment on how successful he might be.
He added, "Bayraktar can reach secular segments of the public by taking a more technocratic position within an authoritarian regime while appealing to AKP voters through his loyalty to Erdoğan.”
Still, Esen doesn't believe Bayraktar can be successful without his father-in-law's support, noting: "If President Erdoğan does not support him, strong objections against Bayraktar may arise within the AKP."
“Room for new actors”
Political communications strategist Derin Koçer has also noticed recent changes in Bayraktar's social media strategy.
"It’s a great time to build political personalities now,” Koçer told Turkey recap.
“The sheer political domination of President Erdoğan following the May elections nullified the mainstream opposition, and sidelined a number of potential heirs to the throne,” Koçer said, referring to former Interior Min. Süleyman Soylu and former Defense Min. Hulusi Akar, and adding this “made room for new actors to emerge."
Koçer went on, saying Pres. Erdoğan likes competition if he can control it, and highlighted the rise of another prospective successor: Hakan Fidan. As former intelligence chief, Fidan has long been powerful but mysterious. He now has a very public-facing job as the new foreign minister, which could change his prospects for the presidency.
"Selçuk Bayraktar – and Baykar in general – also does not shy away from jumping into the political debate," Koçer said. "These were both uncommon just a few months ago, but here we are: a foreign secretary meeting local public opinion leaders in small districts and a corporate entrepreneur giving money publicly for Gaza. The new competitors for the throne are out in the open, and they are not shying away from the limelight."
Koçer was referencing Bayraktar’s Oct. 19 pledge to donate $10 million for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
How we got here
Baykar has sold drones to 32 countries, becoming one of Turkey's largest exporting companies and raising Bayraktar’s public profile. While Bayraktar's media appearances and public comments had previously mainly focused on his company, he made his first statement on whether he would enter politics to journalist Candaş Tolga Işık on TV100 in January.
"They say Erdoğan is preparing you to replace him. Do you have any plans to enter politics in the future?" Işık asked.
"What you are saying is just rumor and gossip," Bayraktar answered. "I do not have such a plan. But I have a plan to fight on this path until the end." His words were interpreted as not denying the allegations by many.
Bayraktar made his lastest statement last month, when journalist Toygun Atilla asked him if he was going to get into politics once more.
"I do not have such a dream," Bayraktar responded. "But if the struggle requires entering into politics, we will not be afraid and turn back."
The popularity of Bayraktar, who is married to President Erdoğan's daughter Sümeyye Erdoğan, was also reflected in survey results shared by the MetroPOLL research firm on Oct. 10.
According to the survey, Bayraktar ranked as the third most-liked politician behind FM Fidan and Pres. Erdoğan even though he is not yet a politician.
Additional reporting by Gonca Tokyol from İstanbul
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