ERDOĞAN’S ADVISER SIGNALS MARCH OR APRIL 2028 FOR ELECTIONS
Presidential Chief Legal Advisor Mehmet Uçum once again said that the next presidential election is set for March or April 2028, coinciding with renewed efforts to draft a new constitution.
Analysis
In-Depth Analysis
Smart, independent reporting on Turkey's politics, economy and foreign affairs.
A SLOW-MOTION FINANCIAL CRASH AND WARNINGS TURKEY IGNORED FUELS SPECULATIONS ABOUT ŞİMŞEK
For over a week, a single issue was on Turkey’s agenda: What happened to the money in the funds? Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, who had stayed silent on the crisis since it began and faced growing speculation that he would be fired, broke his silence on Sept. 24 to deny that he was leaving.
PRO-GOVERNMENT YENİ ŞAFAK DEVOTES FULL FRONT PAGE TO BLASTING MEHMET ŞİMŞEK
The pro-government newspaper Yeni Şafak devoted its entire front page on Sept. 9 to a scathing critique of Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek and his policies, urging immediate shifts including tax overhauls and fuel subsidies.
UN CHIEF'S CYPRUS TRIP ENDS WITHOUT DATE
UN Secretary-General António Guterres' July 27-29 visit to Cyprus produced no concrete resolution plan or new timetable. Ankara welcomed efforts with caution and Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay headed to Northern Cyprus after the talks.
AUSTRALIA JOINS CLIMATE DISINFORMATION PACT AS TURKEY'S STANCE AWAITED AHEAD OF COP31
Australia has joined the Global Initiative on Information Integrity on Climate Change (GIIICC), a landmark effort to combat climate disinformation now backed by 27 countries and the European Union, while Turkey — which will host the COP31 climate summit in November — has yet to declare its position. Turkey in Depth has learned that Turkey is expected to appoint Professor Mehmet Emin Birpınar as spokesperson for COP31.
AKP LAWMAKERS PRESS MINISTER ŞİMŞEK FOR PENSION REFORM
During the AKP’s 33rd Consultation and Assessment meeting in Sapanca, lawmakers criticized Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek over soaring living costs and low retirement pensions.
WHEN WILL MEHMET ŞİMŞEK STEP INTO THE LIGHT?
Is Mehmet Şimşek missing in action? No. He's still in office, still serving as the minister in charge of the economy. But that very fact is what makes people ask 'When will he step into the light?'
İMAMOĞLU'S DETAINED LAWYER PEHLİVAN CHALLENGES COURT
Mehmet Pehlivan, the detained lawyer for jailed Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, drew parallels between their cases and political trials in Brazil in testimony that electrified a courtroom packed with lawyers in Silivri.
TURKEY CAMPAIGNS FOR FAO DIRECTORATE GENERAL
Turkey has launched its campaign to lead the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) after nominating former Agriculture Minister Mehmet Mehdi Eker for the position of Director-General.
FASTER INFLATION AND WIDER CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT THREATEN ŞİMŞEK’S PLAN
Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek warned investors to expect a worsening in the country’s current account and the central bank said it expects faster inflation as strain grows on the government’s economic plans.
ANKARA WANTS NATO TO LOOK SOUTH AS MUCH AS NORTH
Turkey wants NATO to address threats from all directions — including from Middle Eastern countries — during the Ankara Summit on July 7-8. 'We are reminded that what happens in the south does not stay in the south,' said Ambassador Mehmet Burçin Gönenli, director general for International Security Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, speaking at the 18th Istanbul Security Conference organized by Başkent University and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.
CENTRAL BANK KEEPS INTEREST RATES UNCHANGED AMID INTENSIFYING POLITICAL PRESSURE
The central bank kept its benchmark policy rate unchanged at 37% on April 22, meeting the expectations of most analysts. The decision comes following intensified criticism of both the bank and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, 59, from the business world and media outlets close to the government.