The final nail in Old Turkey's coffin

The 2014 presidential election attested to Turkey's transformation and marked the ruling AK Party's ninth consecutive victory in popular contests over the past 12 years. Considering the party's excellent track record, observers should probably come to terms with the fact that the driving force behind these election results relates to sociological, not political, phenomena. President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has become a historic leader because he represented, promoted and supported the country's social transformation. To be perfectly honest, no politician in the nation's history has deserved the presidency more than Erdoğan – an outsider who fought his way into Turkey's political center, built his platform around society-wide demands and preferences, and remained loyal to society.

Conveying his message during the "balcony speech" on Sunday evening, Erdoğan, fully aware of his historic role, invited all citizens to a new future. In his words, he explained that Turkey should be home to a pluralistic, multi-cultural and diverse society, and made the case for an umbrella identity that takes precedence over ethnic and religious identities. At this point, the president-elect's sentiments seem to be the priority item on the AK Party's agenda. As such, Erdoğan asked people, including himself, to leave troubles and hostilities behind, and to part ways with their fears, become aware of their prejudices, and to "look each other in the eye." The acceptance speech thus touched upon the need for a new social contract in Turkey. Erdoğan's election as the 12th president of Turkey unmistakably marks the demise of old Turkey and an ever-archaic political system. It was simply impossible for the nation to tolerate the state's superiority over society and audacity to shape the people through power and hierarchical structures. Over the past years, the state had rendered public space inaccessible, alienated various social groups, and held civilian politics at gunpoint. The AK Party years, in turn, witnessed the transformation – and the process of hitting nails in the coffin – of the state, as the alienation regime of the past nine decades came to an end. Erdoğan's emphasis on "the state and the nation facing the same direction" conveyed a strong message about the above-mentioned situation.

Completing such a transformation requires more than foresight and political skill. Turkey experienced a steep learning curve under various pressures. Society in general, and the Islamic movement in particular, witnessed a period of radical and unpredictable change over the past 12 years: A great transformation that enabled long-repressed dreams, desires and talent, created a diverse blend of religiosity and the mundane, and promoted individualization and hybridization. The implications of this potential for the public space and politics have effectively brought about a popular revolution which transformed these areas and caused radical breaks with the past. In this sense, the AK Party and Erdoğan have been able to win so many elections due to their ability to advocate the aforementioned transformation. And their election victories have made it possible for the popular revolution to play out in a peaceful fashion.

Erdoğan's appreciation of this phenomenon and eagerness to position and present himself as a humble follower of the popular revolution has facilitated his rise to the presidency. Leaving aside faux arguments about authoritarianism versus democracy, the picture becomes crystal clear: For 90 years, Turkey lived under an authoritarian regime. The AK Party and Erdoğan, in turn, strive to break old habits and pave the way to democracy. As part of this effort, they occasionally adopt a harsh stance and, when facing challenges, even violate democratic rules. Nonetheless, their historic credentials as agents of democracy remain intact.