Edgar Sar

Dr. Edgar Sar serves as a Research Fellow at Central European University's CEU Democracy Institute within the Research Group on De- and Re-Democratization. Holding a PhD in political science from Boğaziçi University with thesis "Contesting Electoral Authoritarianism: Electoral Strategies of the Political Opposition in Turkey and Hungary", he brings deep expertise in comparative autocratization processes. Sar simultaneously directs Istanbul Political Research Institute (IstanPol), bridging academic research with policy analysis.

His scholarly focus encompasses:

• Autocratization mechanisms in contemporary regimes
• Strategic opposition tactics in electoral authoritarian contexts
• Theoretical frameworks of secularism and democracy
• State-religion-society dynamics in Turkey and the Middle East

Sar's recent analytical output demonstrates consistent patterns examining democratic backsliding trajectories, particularly comparative studies between Turkey and Hungary. His publications reveal sophisticated understanding of electoral authoritarianism where formal elections persist but lack fairness, with special attention to opposition coalition-building challenges. As a regular Turkish media commentator, he translates complex political dynamics for broader audiences while maintaining academic rigor.

Notable recognition includes contributions to Middle East Institute, ISPI Online, and Telex analyses on critical developments like the DEM Party's Kurdish policy approach and post-election political realignments. His work consistently connects theoretical frameworks with immediate political developments, particularly regarding protest movements and electoral strategies in constrained democratic environments.

Formerly a CATS Fellow at SWP Berlin, Sar maintains strong European policy networks while directing his Istanbul-based think tank. His dual institutional affiliations uniquely position him to analyze converging political trends across Eastern Europe and the Middle East, with particular emphasis on how opposition actors navigate authoritarian challenges while maintaining democratic aspirations.