From the dissolution agreement concerning the PKK to shifting dynamics in Syria and ongoing Russia–Ukraine negotiations, Türkiye is currently navigating an intense period of political and diplomatic activity. Another significant process is set to begin in July: the negotiations for a revised Turkish-UK Free Trade Agreement. If managed effectively, these talks could present Türkiye with
In Türkiye, the outcomes of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) disarmament and dissolution congress, convened in response to a proposal by Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli and a call from PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan, are announced on May 12. Central to the process are critical issues such as the modalities of disarmament and
On May 9, Ayşegül Doğan, the spokesperson of the Kurdish-problem-focused DEM Party, was telling reporters that it was only a matter of time before the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) could announce its Congress on laying down arms and dissolving itself. Some half an hour later, the PKK announced that they had convened the Congress
On May 7, the European Parliament approved, by majority vote, the report of Türkiye rapporteur Nacho Sánchez Amor during its session in Strasbourg. The report largely reiterates concerns that have been voiced since 2018. It emphasizes that Türkiye’s democratic standards have significantly deteriorated due to its counter-terrorism legislation, the lack of cooperation between Turkish law
Impatience is growing and nerves are on edge in Ankara because of a recent statement by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) regarding the “laying arms” congress that the President Tayyip Erdoğan administration is waiting for. Following a suggestion by Erdoğan’s ally, the MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, PKK’s founding leader Abdullah Öcalan called on
In Türkiye, as main opposition CHP leader Özgür Özel called on the masses who filled İstanbul’s Saraçhane Square despite police batons, pepper spray and threats of arrest to resist the “one-man regime”, US President Donald Trump endorsed Erdoğan as “a good leader”. Trump gave this support during a meeting on March 25 at the White
At its March 27 meeting, the Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Board (RTÜK) imposed the heaviest fines ever on TV channels that do not toe the government line. With the fines, Sözcü TV received a 10-day blackout penalty, and the cancellation of its broadcasting license is now imminent. According to RTÜK member İlhan Taşçı, who
The first tangible outcome of the “Öcalan Initiative” – which MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli initiated by shaking hands with DEM Party members at the Parliament’s opening on October 1 – materialized on December 28. With President Tayyip Erdoğan’s approval, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç granted permission for two DEM Party heavyweights, Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya
Like many others, I have been watching Türkiye’s policies regarding immigrants, refugees, and foreigners, especially the citizenship process, with growing concern for a long time. The lack of transparency, ambiguous statistics, and the failure to clearly articulate the purpose of the pursued policies have transformed this process into one of the worst examples in the
