TURKEY - Politics

Turkey's political landscape has been dominated by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for over two decades. Rising to prominence as the Mayor of Istanbul in the 1990s, Erdoğan co-founded the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2001. Under his leadership, the AKP secured a landslide victory in 2002, marking the beginning of a new era in Turkish politics.

Erdoğan's tenure as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2014 was characterized by significant economic growth and ambitious infrastructure projects. However, his administration also faced criticism for increasing authoritarianism and curtailing democratic freedoms. In 2014, Erdoğan became Turkey's first directly elected President, a role he has since expanded, consolidating power through constitutional changes in 2017 that transformed Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential system.

His leadership style is often described as assertive and polarizing. Domestically, Erdoğan has been praised for modernizing Turkey's economy but criticized for stifling dissent and limiting press freedom. Internationally, his foreign policy has been marked by a balancing act between Western alliances and regional aspirations.

The political landscape remains deeply divided, with Erdoğan's supporters lauding his vision for a strong, independent Turkey, while opponents express concern over democratic backsliding and human rights issues. As Turkey continues to navigate internal and external challenges, Erdoğan's influence remains a defining factor in shaping the nation's future.

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Portrait of the Turkish President Erdoğan. He wears a black suit with a blue striped tie and a small pin of the red Turksih flag on his lapel.

Turkish Elections 2023

In one of the most important elections of the year, we see President Erdoğan fighting to maintain his 20 years of control against key rival Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The election will be held on May 14, to a backdrop of growing dissatisfaction, economic downturn, rising inflation, and the deaths of more than 50,000 during the mismanaged earthquake back in February. With citizens desperate for change, Kılıçdaroğlu promises to restore democracy, judicial independence, and deport millions of refugees. Many Turkish people view another win by Erdoğan as huge loss for democracy.

Turkish Elections 2023
2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake montage displaying the epicentre of the Earthquake, the destruction that followed and the many victims left homeless

Turkey-Syria Earthquakes 2023

Two lethal earthquakes struck southern Turkey and western Syria, causing widespread damage and deaths in the region. In Turkey, many poorly constructed buildings collapsed, leaving thousands of people trapped under the rubble and many more at the mercy of the cold winter. In Syria, still suffering from the wounds of 12 years of civil war, the quake came at a very vulnerable time, when the population was already suffering from food shortages, economic collapse, vulnerable infrastructure and a recent cholera outbreak.

Turkey-Syria Earthquakes 2023
Image of protesters in the Turkish area of Akbelen who are campaigning against massive logging by the coal industry. They stand in a long line on an open field holding a large red banner with many trees in the background. The sign says 'Akbelen ormanini vermeyecegiz'

Akbelen Forest Protests in Turkey

The ecological destruction in Akbelen forest by the coal mining industry has been taking place for 40 years. After achieving some success to halt the large-scale felling of trees in recent years, new coal expansion has been approved. Activists from local villages have responded with a series of campaigns and protests only to be met by violence by the military who are protecting the operations of coal company Yeniköy Kemerköy Energy.

Akbelen Forest Protests in Turkey
Protesters at Gezi Park in Istanbul Turkey hold a larg white banner which says 'Boyun Egme'. They are holding banners and waving flags.

10th Anniversary of the Gezi Park Protests

One of the largest anti-government mass movement events in Turkey began in 2013. Originally started by a few hundred who objected to the building of artillery barracks on one of the few remaining green spaces in Istanbul. Events soon spiralled into thousands of Turkish protesters who united to stand against larger issues in the country such as repression, unlawful punishments, police brutality, exploitation, and the authoritarian regime. 10-year commemorative events have been met with hostility and many have already been detained.

10th Anniversary of the Gezi Park Protests