Analysis
Smart, independent reporting on Turkey's politics, economy and foreign affairs.
The possibility the trial of imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu could be televised by state broadcaster TRT has sparked rare agreement among political rivals. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan endorsed MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli’s call for the hearings to be aired live. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç also weighed in, saying that Parliament can act on the matter if there is consensus.
Ankara is entering what officials describe as the final phase of the PKK’s disarmament, with expectations that images of surrendered weapons could be released in the coming days.
Turkey’s media regulator has imposed 10-day broadcast blackouts on opposition channels Halk TV and Sözcü TV, accusing them of “inciting hatred and hostility.” The decision has sparked widespread criticism and renewed concerns over press freedom in the country.
Tunç Soyer, the former mayor of İzmir, was detained as part of an operation targeting the municipality and its affiliated companies during his term.
The process dubbed “Terror-Free Turkey” by the ruling alliance has reached a critical point. The PKK is expected to release its first disarmament footage in the coming days. With such symbolic images looming, both sides are warning of possible provocations, stressing the need to remain vigilant against attempts to derail the process.
The PKK is expected to lay down arms this week in a symbol that will be one of the most significant steps of the peace process dubbed “Terror-free Turkey.” Iraqi Kurdish media outlet Rudaw reported on June 30 that the group would hand over weapons as a 'gesture of goodwill.”
Just weeks before the Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) meets to decide on promotions in the ranks, the ruling AKP introduced a bill to amend the Turkish Armed Forces Personnel Law, allowing force commanders to remain in office until age 72 with presidential approval.
A new directive issued by Turkey’s Foreign Ministry is drawing criticism from within diplomatic circles, with several senior sources saying it undermines the long-standing merit-based promotion system of the diplomatic corps.
Presidential advisor Mehmet Uçum has weighed in on the possibility of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan running for office again. In a post on X, Uçum said no constitutional change is required for Erdoğan to seek another term.
The chairs of Turkey’s ruling alliance launched coordinated attacks on the main opposition CHP, accusing it of internal disarray, corruption, and political opportunism.
Four staff members of the satirical magazine Leman were arrested after a cartoon accused of insulting religious values triggered violent protests in Istanbul and drew sharp reactions from across the political spectrum.
A new front has been opened in the judicial assault on the main opposition CHP, shifting the focus from Istanbul to the party’s stronghold in Izmir. The latest set of raids came as Izmir fought off forest fires and as the CHP prepared to hold a major rally in Saraçhane—home to Istanbul's Municipality—marking the 100th day of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s pre-trial detention. They also followed hard on the heels of a court hearing that could have annulled the party’s 2023 congress.