“If you can’t beat them, try to break them”
CHP’s İstanbul Provincial Head Canan Kaftancıoğlu is standing trial today over her social media posts from years ago, and is facing up to 22.5 years in prison. This incident is a new example of the government’s past attempts to disable those opponents that cannot be dealt with. But after June 23, members of the judiciary […]
The difficulties and opportunities facing Ekrem İmamoğlu
Ekrem İmamoğlu is taking office today for a second time as the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor. He is likely to face resistance from within the municipality on top of that stemming from the government. Will he be able to overcome these difficulties with the support he has garnered from different segments of the society? Translation: […]
AKP on the verge of disintegration
The June 23 election defeat has proven to be a great encouragement for those making arrangements to break ties with the AKP. Ali Babacan, who has secured Abdullah Gül’s support, is expected leave the AKP very soon to start a new political party. Ahmet Davutoğlu’s position, on the other hand, is yet to become clearer. […]
This Week in Turkey (121): with Paul Osterlund on Istanbul after June 23 elections
Istanbul-based journalist Paul Benjamin Osterlund comments on how the election of Ekrem İmamoğlu as Istanbul’s new metropolitan mayor is likely to affect Istanbul’s urban scene and the recent trend of outward migration.
Is it true that “Erdoğan is good but his inner circle is bad”?
It seems that President Erdoğan himself isn’t the target, but his “inner circle” is shouldering the blame in the process of scrutiny and criticism that has erupted inside the AKP following the June 23 election defeat. But to what extent is this a realistic approach? Translation: Melissa Clissold / Subtitles: Egemen Gök Hello, good day. […]
The First Day of a Brand New Turkey
June 23 Istanbul elections became a milestone for a brand new period in Turkey. From now onwards, to understand what is likely to happen, one should look at winners such as İmamoğlu, CHP, Good Party, HDP and Demirtaş instead of losers such as Erdoğan and Bahçeli. Translation: Melissa ClissoldSubtitles: Egemen Gök Hello, good day and […]
This Week in Turkey (120): with Umar Farooq on June 23 mayoral re-do elections in Istanbul
Istanbul-based journalist Umar Farooq comments on how Western media perceives the upcoming June 23 mayoral re-run election in Istanbul.
Will Binali Yıldırım’s 180-degree strategy change work?
Prior to the March 31 local elections, it was Recep Tayyip Erdoğan instead of Binali Yıldırım that was competing in the race – and it was an aggressive campaign. Ahead of the June 23 re-vote, we are witnessing a more positive campaign. But will it succeed? Click CC in the bottom right corner for English […]
This Week in Turkey (118): with Faruk Loğoğlu on the latest stage of S-400/F-35 crisis between Turkey and US
Turkey’s former ambassador to Washington, Faruk Loğoğlu comments on the ongoing rift between Ankara and Washington regarding Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, and the US decision to remove Turkish pilots from the F-35 fighter jet training program. Loğoğlu predicts that a solution will be reached following the mayoral election re-run in […]
This Week in Turkey (117): with Şebnem Arsu on June 23 elections, social media and fake news
The Independent correspondent Şebnem Arsu comments on the role of social media and fake news in the run-up to the June 23 mayoral vote in Istanbul, as well as the escalating tension between Ankara and Washington over Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system. Arsu underlines that the ruling AKP’s complete takeover of […]
This Week in Turkey (115): With Can Selçuki on June 23 Istanbul mayoral election re-run
Can Selçuki from Istanbul Economy Research comments on how Istanbulites are likely to vote in the upcoming June 23 re-do election in Istanbul.