Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party denies allegations related to national anthem, Turkish flag
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party won provinces and municipalities across Anatolia’s heavily ethnic-Kurdish southeast in local elections three weeks ago (March 31). Now, as many of its newly elected officials begin their duties, the party is fighting allegations related to failing to read the Turkish national anthem and raise the Turkish flag in the provinces […]
Erdoğan: ‘It’s not over until we say it’s over’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made his first party speech in parliament on Wednesday (April 17) since Turkey’s local elections on March 31, which saw massive losses for his Justice and Development Party (AKP) in municipalities across the country. In his speech, he touched on the election results, arguing that his coalition had emerged from the elections […]
Mayoral certification crisis in Turkey sparks unprecedented dissent in ruling party
A mayoral certification crisis in Van province following the local elections sparked arguments among prominent figures within President Erdoğan’s AK Party. Presidential Advisor Mehmet Uçum defended the desertification process saying that it was a legal necessity, earning a harsh rebuttal by AKP MP Babuşçu. Following last Sunday’s local elections, opposition parties scored historic wins against […]
Van mayor-elect’s victory reinstated following controversial disqualification reversal
On Sunday’s local elections in Turkey, pro-Kurdish DEM Party candidate Abdullah Zeydan won mayorship in the eastern province of Van with 55.48% of the vote, besting second-place Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate Abdulahat Arvas, who finished with 27.15%. Zeydan’s victory, however, was invalidated when it emerged that on March 29, two days before the election was […]
Recounts continue after Turkey’s local election, as ruling party refuses to go quietly into the night
A recount is currently underway in Istanbul’s Gaziosmanpaşa and Beykoz districts, where the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) won Sunday’s local elections by a thin margin. In another close race in Kayseri’s Pınarbaşı district, CHP’s victory was overturned by Turkey’s Supreme Election Council (YSK), with a rerun election scheduled for June 2. Istanbul – Gaziosmanpaşa In Gaziosmanpaşa’s close race, CHP […]
Turkey local elections: Turmoil in former opposition partner following crushing defeat
After the local elections on Sunday (March 31st), the primary opposition party CHP secured the majority of votes, while its previous coalition ally, the İYİ Party, managed to obtain only 3.7%. With the decision of the party leader Meral Akşener to dissolve the coalition, the İYİ Party could only secure 23 districts and a single […]
Erdoğan: “Even if we halt all our other payments, we will not be able to provide our retirees with the pension hikes they have been promised”
Following a cabinet meeting on Monday (March 4), President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized opposition promises to significantly hike pension payments, saying that such a hike would not be feasible even if other cuts are made. Referring to an opposition proposal to significantly hike pension payments, Erdoğan said “In recent days I have explained how opposition promises to […]
Economist Daron Acemoğlu criticizes Turkish Central Bank inflation numbers as ‘unrealistic’
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) economics professor Daron Acemoğlu spoke to Reuters last week regarding inflation figures announced by Turkey’s Central Bank (TCMB) for February, as well as their projections for the remainder of 2024, describing the numbers as ‘unrealistic’. The numbers released by Turkey’s central Bank at the end of February forecast inflation peaking at […]
Turkey issues condemnation of Israel at ICJ hearing
Today (February 26) marked the final day of a week of hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague that saw numerous countries speak out against Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestine. In a presentation on the final day of the event, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yıldız articulated Turkey’s criticisms, saying “Israel is […]
Turkish lawyer detained over anti-Sharia social media posts
Turkish lawyer Feyza Altun was detained Monday (February 19) following several anti-Sharia social media posts. Refuting charges that she had attacked anyone’s religion or lifestyle, Altun doubled down on her criticism of Sharia, referencing Afghanistan’s Taliban government. Altun, who has frequently received attention for her provocative social media posts, landed in hot water this week following […]
Exclusive: Turkish government-linked lobby groups spent $10 million in the United States in a single year
In 2023, Turkey spent nearly $18 million on lobbying activities in the United States. While Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spent approximately $4.5 million dollars, the majority of lobbying dollars were spent by two government-linked organizations: TÜRGEV and Ensar Foundation. Together, the two foundations spent more than $10 million (approximately 306 million Turkish Liras) […]
Incarcerated representative-elect Can Atalay stripped of parliamentary status
Incarcerated parliamentary member Can Atalay, whose case threw Turkey’s judiciary into a constitutional crisis following competing decisions released in November, has officially been stripped of parliamentary status. Parliamentary member Leyla Şahin Usta, a member of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), announced the decision Today (Tuesday, January 30th). Can Atalay from the […]
