Analysis
Smart, independent reporting on Turkey's politics, economy and foreign affairs.
Feridun Sinirlioğlu, Turkey’s candidate for UN secretary-general, will take questions from member states in a webcast General Assembly dialogue on Nov. 6, a day after drawing more negative than positive votes in his first Security Council straw poll.
After the summer break, the parliament opens its new legislative year on Oct. 1 and the General Assembly will convene on Oct. 6 to discuss a nine-article bill on the Turkish Red Crescent.
Binali Yıldırım. The last prime minister before the country shifted to the Turkish-model presidential system. Last seen in New York, at the UN General Assembly as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the chamber.
US Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack signaled that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump “could” meet in New York during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
Although the Yeni Party did not sign the framework bill designed to advance the Kurdish peace process, some of its MPs are expected to support the law in the General Assembly, since some of its MPs contributed to the commission in the parliament under the CHP banner.
Ali Koç, a member of Turkey’s wealthiest business family, lost control after seven years at soccer club Fenerbahçe, ousted by businessperson Sadettin Saran. Saran became the 38th president of the yellow-and-blue club, winning 12,325 of 24,393 valid votes at the Extraordinary Elective General Assembly.
Turkey’s top business association, TÜSİAD, elected Ozan Diren as its new chair at its ordinary general assembly in Istanbul. Diren, the sole candidate, will serve for the 2026–2027 term. He succeeds Orhan Turan, who completed two terms in office.
As the Turkish Parliament begins its new legislative year on Oct. 1, attention will center on MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli—who launched the “Terror-Free Turkey” peace initiative a year ago—and on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s remarks regarding its future. Following a 70-day recess, Parliament will convene with a special General Assembly session at 2:00 p.m. As usual, Erdoğan will deliver an opening address, though the CHP will boycott the ceremony in protest of recent mayoral arrests and crackdowns on municipalities. This year, the political spotlight will remain on post-PKK arrangements such as the “Return Home” law, the “right to hope,” and amendments to the penal code.
U.S. President Donald Trump will host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House on Sept. 25, shortly after both leaders attend the UN General Assembly in New York. Their talks are expected to focus on defense and trade, including Boeing aircraft sales, a major F-16 package, and the potential revival of discussions on the suspended F-35 program.
In the most dramatic leadership overhaul at OYAK since the 2016 coup attempt, retired Lt. Gen. Zekai Aksakallı—once a key figure in thwarting the coup—has been named chairman of the Turkish Armed Forces' influential pension fund and commercial powerhouse. OYAK announced the surprise changes just two months after its general assembly on May 17.