We answer your questions on the military coup in Turkey and what it could mean for you
Foreign Affairs analyst Tim Marshall answers how it all started and what is means for the UK and the rest of Europe
FOREIGN Affairs analyst and former Sky News Diplomatic editor Tim Marshall breaks down some of the crucial issues.
Q: Why was there a coup attempt?
A: President Erdogan has become an authoritarian figure. His Islamist-rooted party, the AKP, has purged state institutions of opponents, cracked down on free speech, and increased the role of religion.
Q: Who was behind plot to overthrow government?
A: The coup leaders appear to be senior military officers from a limited number of units. Erdogan accuses them of supporting an exiled religious and political leader Fethullah Gulen, who now lives in the US.
Q: Why did the army-backed rebels’ attempt fail?
A: The coup was wide but not deep. It had members of the army, navy, and air force but too few to flood the streets.
Q:Why did people support the President?
A:Even many opponents who want to get rid of him do not believe the solution is a military takeover.
Q:Who’s in charge of the country now?
A: The President is in control. The military High Command is standing behind him, as are the intelligence agencies, his party and even opposition political parties.
Q: What happens to the coup leaders?
A: Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004. However, there are now calls from within the AKP party to re-introduce it for the coup leaders.
Q: What effect will this have on the UK?
A: On the political front the instability in Turkey, and potential re-introduction of the death penalty, pushes even further away the possibility of Turkey joining the EU. This will play a minor role in the UK’s Brexit negotiations. Holiday bookings to Turkey, already down, may decline further.
Q: How does this affect Turkey’s Middle East role?
A: The image of an unstable Turkey undermines its efforts to be the leading player.