Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Three thousand prisoners on hunger strike in Turkey

Three thousand prisoners on hunger strike in Turkey

Nearly 3,000 people in 90 prisons across Turkey are refusing food in protest of jail conditions for Abdullah Ocalan - leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

More:Three thousand prisoners on hunger strike in Turkey

Monday, April 29, 2019

EU should not underestimate the anti-populist message from Turkey

EU should not underestimate the anti-populist message from Turkey

It has been a month since the local elections were held, and we still do not know the official result of Istanbul - Turkey’s most populated and economically-important city. Once again, the governing coalition is missing out on a tremendous opportunity to govern for four consecutive years without the disruption of an election.

More:EU should not underestimate the anti-populist message from Turkey

Turkey: Riding The Economic Titanic | Seeking Alpha

Turkey: Riding The Economic Titanic

Apr. 29, 2019 5:17 PM ET
Summary: President Erdogan continues to “stay the course” and “full speed ahead” pursuing an unorthodox post-municipal elections economic policy which has a deleterious impact on Turkey’s present-day economy. The end of sanction waivers on Iranian oil imports exacerbates Turkey’s plummeting foreign reserves and high external debt and may possibly be catastrophic should Brent prices rise another $10/bbl. Erdogan must create a political face-saving narrative in actively seeking international financial assistance.

More:Turkey: Riding The Economic Titanic | Seeking Alpha

Erdogan Is Writing Checks the Turkish Economy Can’t Cash – Foreign Policy

Erdogan Is Writing Checks the Turkish Economy Can’t Cash

The president’s stimulus programs may help him stay in power, but they will cost his country in the long run.

More:Erdogan Is Writing Checks the Turkish Economy Can’t Cash – Foreign Policy

In Turkey, Erdogan Is Still Calling All the Shots – Foreign Policy

In Turkey, Erdogan Is Still Calling All the Shots

The president’s coalition partners aren’t pulling him to the right. They’re doing his bidding.

More:In Turkey, Erdogan Is Still Calling All the Shots – Foreign Policy

Turkey, Spain and Britain: The radicalisation of hegemonic nationalisms | CommonSpace

Turkey, Spain and Britain: The radicalisation of hegemonic nationalisms

In the final contribution to our week of special coverage on international self-determination movements, Rhiannon Davies explores the nationalisms of hegemonic states, and how they can be radicalised in opposition to autonomy and independence movements

More:Turkey, Spain and Britain: The radicalisation of hegemonic nationalisms | CommonSpace

Turkey eyes US sanctions waivers Russia arms, on Iran oil - Finance Daily

Turkey eyes US sanctions waivers Russia arms, on Iran oil

Posted by Lawrence Niewhuis on Apr 29th, 2019

Turkey”expects” that the Trump government to grant it waivers out of U.S. sanctions linked to its own purchases of petroleum and Russian air defenses, a top aide to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday.

More:Turkey eyes US sanctions waivers Russia arms, on Iran oil - Finance Daily

Why did the Turkish judiciary take lynching attempt so lightly?

Why did the Turkish judiciary take lynching attempt so lightly? Orhan Kemal Cengiz April 29, 2019

An attempt to lynch Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), occurred April 21 during a funeral in Ankara for soldiers who were slain in clashes with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq. The crowd first booed Kilicdaroglu. Then he was pushed, shoved and punched in the face. He took refuge at a house in the village, as his bodyguards thought it was too dangerous to take him out of the village in a car and through the angry crowd. Kilicdaroglu was in the house for at least an hour because the crowd refused to disperse in spite of demands by security forces. Some people tried to break into the house, and a woman called on the crowd to set the house on fire. Meanwhile, his minivan was pelted with large stones and seriously damaged.

More:Why did the Turkish judiciary take lynching attempt so lightly?

Ankara's realignment with Russia will cost Turkey more than it thinks | TheHill

Ankara's realignment with Russia will cost Turkey more than it thinks
By Merve Tahiroglu and Greg Everett, opinion contributors — 04/29/19 02:30 PM EDT

Washington’s deadline for Turkey to abandon its plans to purchase the S-400 surface-to-air missile defense system from Russia is fast approaching, with little progress. Fiercely defending his purchase of the missile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is accelerating Turkey’s strategic shift away from NATO. The costs of this shift are much larger than Turkey’s leaders are willing to admit — and not only on the country’s defense sector, but also its energy sector.

More:Ankara's realignment with Russia will cost Turkey more than it thinks | TheHill

Opinion: Stories of the Turkish coup attempt continue to be silenced - The Tacoma Ledger

Opinion: Stories of the Turkish coup attempt continue to be silenced
by Bengisu Incetas

The country of Turkey, a marvelous land with rich, cultural history throughout several of its major cities. Istanbul has some of the most historical mosques and churches in the world, such as the Sultan Ahmed and Hagia Sophia. Ankara, Turkey’s capital, holds nothing but pure Turkish culture throughout the city, where everyone knows each other is a part of one, inclusive community. The sun has always been bright in Turkey — however, there was a dark cloud cast over it on July 15, 2016.

More:Opinion: Stories of the Turkish coup attempt continue to be silenced - The Tacoma Ledger

The Beginning of the End of Erdogan’s Era - The Globalist

The Beginning of the End of Erdogan’s Era

Public sentiment is moving away from President Erdogan in Turkey’s largest cities, especially his hometown of Istanbul. This will have major political ramifications.

More:The Beginning of the End of Erdogan’s Era - The Globalist

Political Islamists brace to lose financial favors after Istanbul shift

Political Islamists brace to lose financial favors after Istanbul shift

Sibel Hurtas April 29, 2019

Article Summary: After major gains in local elections last month, including a landmark victory in Istanbul, Turkey’s main opposition vows to turn off the funding spigots for Islamic entities, which have long underpinned the ruling party’s electoral machine.

More:Political Islamists brace to lose financial favors after Istanbul shift

AhlulBayt News Agency - ABNA - Shia News

Erdogan: Turkey will either 'live or die' in confronting foreign powers
April 29, 2019

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey will not surrender to economic terrorism of "foreign powers", vowing to confront “those who are plotting against our people”.

“Though challenges we face have reminded us that we should never give up on our ambition to build a big and strong Turkey,” Erdogan told a gathering of his ruling AK party in Ankara Sunday.

More:AhlulBayt News Agency - ABNA - Shia News

Asia Times | Biggest loser from US-Turkey defense spat will be EU | Article

Biggest loser from US-Turkey defense spat will be EU
Faisal Al Yafai

The hot war of words between Ankara and Washington over Turkey’s purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system shows no signs of cooling. This month, Washington made its most serious threat yet, as Vice-President Mike Pence warned that Turkey “must choose” between the weapons system and its membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

More:Asia Times | Biggest loser from US-Turkey defense spat will be EU | Article

DW launches Turkish YouTube channel +90 | Europe| News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 29.04.2019

DW launches Turkish YouTube channel +90

Deutsche Welle and three major international media partners have launched a Turkish-language YouTube channel named +90. They aim to strengthen freedom of speech and the press in Turkey.

More:DW launches Turkish YouTube channel +90 | Europe| News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 29.04.2019

Internal divisions in Turkey deepen: Lessons from the recent local elections | EUROPP

Internal divisions in Turkey deepen: Lessons from the recent local elections

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) suffered a disappointing result in the country’s local elections on 31 March. But did the results reflect the beginning of the end for the AKP’s dominance over Turkish politics, or were they simply a consequence of voters backing individual candidates who made convincing appeals to local voters?

More:Internal divisions in Turkey deepen: Lessons from the recent local elections | EUROPP

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Row in Turkey’s governing party bursts into the open || AW

Row in Turkey’s governing party bursts into the open

Davutoglu severely criticised limits on the freedom of speech in Turkey, a country that has jailed more than 130 journalists, more than any other nation, in recent years.

More:Row in Turkey’s governing party bursts into the open || AW

Erdogan between a rock and a hard place || AW

Erdogan between a rock and a hard place

While the “grand coalition” has entered the agenda as a new term, the uncertainties in the battle for power and its possible redistribution are far stronger than any opening visible.

More:Erdogan between a rock and a hard place || AW

Ponzi scheme between Istanbul municipality and Erdoğan’s son’s foundation - columnist | Ahval

Ponzi scheme between Istanbul municipality and Erdoğan’s son’s foundation - columnist

Istanbul’s Okçular Archery Foundation, a project of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son, has been supported by the resources of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality since its founding, said columnist Murat Ağırel in nationalist Yeniçağ daily on Saturday.

The columnist’s claim arrives amid increasing reports of municipality funds transferred to charities linked to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) following the opposition’s victory of the Istanbul and Ankara municipalities in the March 31 local polls.

More:Ponzi scheme between Istanbul municipality and Erdoğan’s son’s foundation - columnist | Ahval

Number of Schengen Visa Applications From Turkey Drops for the First Time in Years

Number of Schengen Visa Applications From Turkey Drops for the First Time in Years

The Schengen Consulates in the Republic of Turkey have received about 9.5% less Schengen Visa applications in 2018, compared to the previous year.

More:Number of Schengen Visa Applications From Turkey Drops for the First Time in Years

The second ‘conquest’ of Istanbul – what it means for Turkey

The second ‘conquest’ of Istanbul – what it means for Turkey

Samira Ahmedbeyli, Rustam Isamilbeyli
April 27, 2019
The Turkish authorities have lost a number of major cities to the opposition in local elections. While some are celebrating, some experts warn that a dangerous confrontation may be approaching

More:The second ‘conquest’ of Istanbul – what it means for Turkey

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Erdogan’s Party Is Deeply Divided by Push to Redo Istanbul Election - The New York Times

Erdogan’s Party Is Deeply Divided by Push to Redo Istanbul Election

By Carlotta Gall

April 25, 2019

ISTANBUL — A last-ditch effort by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s governing party to annul the election for mayor of Istanbul has opened wide divisions in the party’s rank and file and with its nationalist allies, as even the president has come under unusual attack.

More:Erdogan’s Party Is Deeply Divided by Push to Redo Istanbul Election - The New York Times

Attack on Turkish opposition leader premeditated - CHP report | Ahval

Attack on Turkish opposition leader premeditated - CHP report

The attack on the leader of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) during a military funeral on Sunday in Ankara was a premeditated assault guided by 15 provocateurs, including Ankara municipality workers, said a preliminary investigation prepared by the party, Cumhuriyet reported .

More:Attack on Turkish opposition leader premeditated - CHP report | Ahval

Turkish Removal of Hawkish Rate Pledge Worsens Lira's Plight - Bloomberg

Turkish Removal of Hawkish Rate Pledge Worsens Lira's Plight
By Ugur Yilmaz , Cagan Koc , and Constantine Courcoulas

April 24, 2019, 2:40 PM EDT Updated on April 25, 2019, 7:53 AM EDT Turkey’s central bank dropped a commitment to deliver further monetary tightening if needed as it extended its interest-rate pause to seven months. The lira tumbled to its weakest since October. The Monetary Policy Committee led by Governor Murat Cetinkaya tweaked its forward guidance in a statement accompanying its decision on Thursday, saying its action “will be determined to keep inflation in line with the targeted path.” The MPC kept the benchmark rate at 24 percent, in line with forecasts.

More:Turkish Removal of Hawkish Rate Pledge Worsens Lira's Plight - Bloomberg

Turkey Gives Banks $3.7 Billion Lending Boost to Spur Growth - Bloomberg

Turkey Gives Banks $3.7 Billion Lending Boost to Spur Growth
By Ercan Ersoy
April 25, 2019, 4:37 AM EDT Updated on April 25, 2019, 7:11 AM EDT

Sovereign wealth fund buys debt issued by government lenders
President Erdogan is seeking to rekindle growth with credit

Turkey’s sovereign wealth fund bolstered the capital ratios of five state-owned banks by 3.3 billion euros ($3.7 billion) in a bid to keep credit flowing in the recession-hit economy.

More:Turkey Gives Banks $3.7 Billion Lending Boost to Spur Growth - Bloomberg

Turkey’s Strongman Weakened by Municipal Election Reversal - WhoWhatWhy

Turkey’s Strongman Weakened by Municipal Election Reversal

It was only a municipal election, yet, after more than three weeks, it continues to reverberate loudly within NATO’s second-largest power and across the region. At a time when relations between the US and Turkey are going from bad to worse, some say it is the beginning of the end for the rule of the country’s authoritarian president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

More:Turkey’s Strongman Weakened by Municipal Election Reversal - WhoWhatWhy

Turkey’s Erdoğan to build Istanbul canal despite losing city election | Ahval

Turkey’s Erdoğan to build Istanbul canal despite losing city election

Turkey’s governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) will press ahead with plans to build a canal through Istanbul despite losing the seat of city mayor last month, Hürriyet newspaper reported .

More:Turkey’s Erdoğan to build Istanbul canal despite losing city election | Ahval

Collapse of rule of law in Erdoğan’s Turkey | Ahval

Collapse of rule of law in Erdoğan’s Turkey

The collapse of the rule of law affects all Turkish citizens, especially those of Kurdish origin. Repression intensified after a ceasefire with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) collapsed in mid-2015, and accelerated after the failed coup a year later and the subsequent two-year state of emergency. Anti-terrorism legislation, criminal defamation regulations, and the law against insulting Turkishness are used to silence political opposition.

More:Collapse of rule of law in Erdoğan’s Turkey | Ahval

Thousands protest against child sex abuse in Istanbul | Ahval

Thousands protest against child sex abuse in Istanbul

Thousands marched in the streets of Istanbul in protest on Wednesday night after the reported rape of a child in the Küçükçekmece district.

The five-year-old girl was found by her family in a pool of blood outside her home on Monday, Turkish news outlets reported.

More:Thousands protest against child sex abuse in Istanbul | Ahval

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Turkey’s democracy wakes up

Turkey’s democracy wakes up
Ömer Taşpınar
Wednesday, April 24, 2019

The most fundamental question in Turkish politics – since the country entered an unprecedented phase of civilian autocracy after the
Gezi Park protests in 2013 – is an existential one about democracy: Do elections matter? More precisely, would President Recep Tayyip Erdogan surrender power because of election results?

More:Turkey’s democracy wakes up

The Turkish Constitutional Court caught red-handed

The Turkish Constitutional Court caught red-handed

Orhan Kemal Cengiz April 24, 2019

Article Summary
The European Court of Human Rights has just struck a massive blow to Turkey's Constitutional Court, which is the target of criticisms that it does little to protect human rights. VEDAT ARIK/AFP/Getty Images Can Dundar (R), editor-in-chief of the opposition Cumhuriyet daily, and Erdem Gul (L), the Ankara bureau chief, speak to the media after being freed from Silivri prison, Istanbul, Turkey, Feb. 26, 2016. The Turkish Constitutional Court — once seen as a bulwark of freedoms and human rights — is now criticized for its inability to deliver justice to Turkish citizens. The top court has issued crucial freedom-serving decisions in the past, such as the decision to lift the ban on Twitter and Facebook, and another that challenged the government's anti-democratic actions. Since 2016, however, the top court has been at the receiving end of criticisms over its hesitation to deliberate certain cases that might provoke the ire of the government.

More:The Turkish Constitutional Court caught red-handed

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Why did pro-government media fail Erdogan?

Why did pro-government media fail Erdogan?

Pinar Tremblay April 23, 2019

Article Summary
Erdogan’s choice of press corps for his Russia trip suggests that a more hawkish faction among the pro-AKP media is likely to gain access to the president’s ear.

More:Why did pro-government media fail Erdogan?

‘Basic needs should be met for free’: Turkey’s new communist mayor wants to create a model socialist city | The Independent

‘Basic needs should be met for free’: Turkey’s new communist mayor wants to create a model socialist city

‘What we’re trying to do is to make the small dreams of people come true,’ Fatih Mehmet Macoglu says

Borzou Daragahi
Tunceli, Turkey @borzou
9 hours ago

From collective farming to free public transport, the man described as Turkey’s first communist mayor wants to be a model for other socialists around the world.

More:‘Basic needs should be met for free’: Turkey’s new communist mayor wants to create a model socialist city | The Independent

Can US convince Turkey to undo 'done deal' with Russia?

Can US convince Turkey to undo 'done deal' with Russia?

Metin Gurcan April 23, 2019

Article Summary
Although there are some signs of warming between the United States and Turkey over the situation in northeast Syria, many in Ankara feel it is too little, too late.

More:Can US convince Turkey to undo 'done deal' with Russia?

Turkey Election Ruling Deals Blow to Erdogan Istanbul Revote Bid - Bloomberg

Turkey Election Ruling Deals Blow to Erdogan Istanbul Revote Bid
By Selcan Hacaoglu
April 23, 2019, 8:37 AM EDT Updated on April 23, 2019, 9:17 AM EDT

Interim decision rejects key AKP rationale for new election
Party’s refusal to concede defeat could destabilize nation

Turkey’s highest electoral body dealt a setback to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s efforts to hold a new vote for Istanbul mayor after his ruling party was unseated in the country’s commercial hub.

More:Turkey Election Ruling Deals Blow to Erdogan Istanbul Revote Bid - Bloomberg

Erdogan faces rare rebellion in his party as economy weakens, Government & Economy - THE BUSINESS TIMES

Erdogan faces rare rebellion in his party as economy weakens
Tue, Apr 23, 2019 - 5:50 AM

Ankara

TURKISH President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was confronted with a rare sign of rebellion within the governing party as former allies attacked his leadership following a sharp deterioration in the economy and stinging losses in local elections last month.

More:Erdogan faces rare rebellion in his party as economy weakens, Government & Economy - THE BUSINESS TIMES

Turkey ignoring warnings, says economist | Public Finance

Turkey ignoring warnings, says economist

By: Gavin O'Toole 23 Apr 19

Turkey’s government may be ignoring warning signals and could be pushing the economy towards a cliff edge, a leading analyst has warned.

More:Turkey ignoring warnings, says economist | Public Finance

Turkish Voters Upset Erdoǧan’s Competitive Authoritarianism | MERIP

Turkish Voters Upset Erdoǧan’s Competitive Authoritarianism

Nabil Al-Tikriti 04.22.2019

Turkish voters sent a strong message to its long-standing ruling party and its leader on March 31, 2019 that the government’s authoritarian turn has not fully succeeded. In nationwide municipal elections, for the first time in a quarter century, the political movement largely associated with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoǧan lost control over both the country’s economic and political capitals, as well as numerous other districts throughout the country.

More:Turkish Voters Upset Erdoǧan’s Competitive Authoritarianism | MERIP

Monday, April 22, 2019

Does AKP’s Loss in Istanbul Mean Trouble for Erdoğan? - The Atlantic

Cracks Are Deepening in Erdoğan’s Ruling Party

“If we lose Istanbul, we lose Turkey,” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reportedly said in 2017—and his party recently lost Istanbul’s mayoral election.

More:Does AKP’s Loss in Istanbul Mean Trouble for Erdoğan? - The Atlantic

Former Turkish PM Davutoglu sharply criticizes Erdogan's AK Party

Former Turkish PM Davutoglu sharply criticizes Erdogan's AK Party
[Reuters]
By Orhan Coskun
,Reuters•April 22, 2019

By Orhan Coskun

ANKARA (Reuters) - A former prime minister and close ally of President Tayyip Erdogan strongly criticized the ruling AK Party on Monday, blaming policy changes and an alliance with nationalists for its poor performance in Turkey's local elections last month.

More:Former Turkish PM Davutoglu sharply criticizes Erdogan's AK Party

Turkish police arrest ruling party member, eight others after opposition chief attack

Turkish police arrest ruling party member, eight others after opposition chief attack

Istanbul (AFP)

Turkish police on Monday arrested nine people, including a member of the ruling AKP party, after a mob attack on opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu that sparked widespread criticism.

More:Turkish police arrest ruling party member, eight others after opposition chief attack

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Russia Has Won the Information War in Turkey – Foreign Policy

Russia Has Won the Information War in Turkey

The Kremlin doesn’t even need fake news to push its agenda on Turkish social media. Because domestic disinformation is rampant, Moscow has managed to infect both sides of the debate.

More:Russia Has Won the Information War in Turkey – Foreign Policy

Attack on CHP leader worrying for Turkey

Attack on CHP leader worrying for Turkey

It is very unfortunate and worrying for Turkey and Turkish politics to observe a mass physical attack against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), in Çubuk district of Ankara during the funeral of a soldier who was martyred by the PKK on April 19. The footage of the attack reveals that Kılıçdaroğlu nearly escaped lynch by a nationalist group obviously in a rage.

More:Attack on CHP leader worrying for Turkey

Turkey's ruling party comes under fire on social media over attack against opposition leader | Ahval

Turkey's ruling party comes under fire on social media over attack against opposition leader

The ruling party has faced a storm of criticism on Sunday after Turkey's main opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was attacked by a group of people at a military funeral in Ankara's Çubuk district.

More:Turkey's ruling party comes under fire on social media over attack against opposition leader | Ahval

Protesters Attack Turkish Opposition Leader at Funeral | Newsmax.com

Protesters Attack Turkish Opposition Leader at Funeral Sunday, 21 April 2019 08:39 AM ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Protesters have attacked the leader of Turkey's main opposition party during the funeral of a soldier who was slain during clashes with Kurdish rebels. More:Protesters Attack Turkish Opposition Leader at Funeral | Newsmax.com

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Erdogan's erratic behaviour concerns the entire region - The National

Erdogan's erratic behaviour concerns the entire region

It benefits the Arab world to have a Turkey that is stable and progressive but instead, we find a president causing troubles at home and abroad

It is the oldest trick in the book. A political leader faces mounting domestic troubles and criticism, so he conveniently creates an external crisis in an effort to distract his population. And here we have Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan doing just that, hoping that he can deflect internal woes by manufacturing problems with other countries. Let us consider Turkey’s internal situation. Between December and February, Turkish unemployment was reported as being at its highest in a decade, reaching close to 15 per cent. The Turkish lira continues to slide as faith in the current political leadership continues to fall.

More:Erdogan's erratic behaviour concerns the entire region - The National

Turkish minister Albayrak cancelled meetings with senators after refusing security check - DW | Ahval

Turkish minister Albayrak cancelled meetings with senators after refusing security check - DW

Turkish Finance Minister and son-in-law of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Berat Albayrak, cancelled meetings at the U.S. Congress with senators during his Washington visit earlier this month after he refused to go through a security device, wrote Murat Yetkin for German broadcaster Deutsche Welle Turkish. The incident took place after Albayrak on April 12 spoke to investors in Washington on how his new economic reform package would reinvigorate Turkey’s shrinking economy.

More:Turkish minister Albayrak cancelled meetings with senators after refusing security check - DW | Ahval

Istanbul’s new mayor signals oversight of funds transferred to AKP-affiliated foundations | Ahval

Istanbul’s new mayor signals oversight of funds transferred to AKP-affiliated foundations

The newly-declared opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu has suggested that he will shed light on and put a stop to municipality funds transferred to organisations affiliated to Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Deutsche Welle Turkish said on Friday. “The time of serving ‘the man’, associations, persons, foundations, and religious groups has ended,” said İmamoğlu four days after local polls on March 31. “We will start such a transparent administration that, everything, including my mayorship will be made public,” he said.

More:Istanbul’s new mayor signals oversight of funds transferred to AKP-affiliated foundations | Ahval

Friday, April 19, 2019

Erdogan whittles away Turkish democracy - MoneyWeek

Erdogan whittles away Turkish democracy
By: Stuart Watkins

It was a symbolic loss for his party, says The Economist, but now Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to have another try. On 31 March voters in Istanbul chose Ekrem Imamoglu of the opposition Republican People’s Party to be mayor and rejected the president’s Islamist allies, who have controlled the city since 1994.

More:Erdogan whittles away Turkish democracy - MoneyWeek

Erdogan slams Western media | World | thenews.com.pk | Karachi

Erdogan slams Western media

ISTANBUL: Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday criticised Western media coverage of the country’s economy after a Financial Times report questioned the central bank’s management of foreign currency reserves.

More:Erdogan slams Western media | World | thenews.com.pk | Karachi

Turkey lira crisis: Erdogan 'faces prolonged ECONOMIC SQUEEZE as lira heads lower' | City & Business | Finance | Express.co.uk

Turkey lira crisis: Erdogan 'faces prolonged ECONOMIC SQUEEZE as lira heads lower'

TURKEY could be set for a “prolonged financial and economic squeeze” should the central bank fail to prop up the struggling lira in the face of looming political uncertainty, according to a markets economist.

More:Turkey lira crisis: Erdogan 'faces prolonged ECONOMIC SQUEEZE as lira heads lower' | City & Business | Finance | Express.co.uk

Turkish court halts new Istanbul mayor’s order to copy municipality database | Ahval

Turkish court halts new Istanbul mayor’s order to copy municipality database

A Turkish administrative court on Friday halted Istanbul’s new mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s order to copy the database of the municipality and its associated companies, Habertürk reported .

More:Turkish court halts new Istanbul mayor’s order to copy municipality database | Ahval

Sex abuse and harassment cases prompt protests at Turkey’s university campuses · Global Voices

Sex abuse and harassment cases prompt protests at Turkey's university campuses
Students protest for safe spaces as authorities downplay gender equality
Posted 19 April 2019 14:24 GMT

Earlier this month a 23-year-old woman alleged that she was beaten and raped by a 54-year-old professor working at Ankara University whilst she was serving as the vet on duty at the private veterinary clinic the professor co-owned.

More:Sex abuse and harassment cases prompt protests at Turkey’s university campuses · Global Voices

Syrian refugees face rising resentment in post-election Turkey - Global Times

Syrian refugees face rising resentment in post-election Turkey

Amid current economic difficulties in Turkey, the Syrian refugees in the country are facing rising resentment, if not hostility, from the local population, especially following the recent local elections. There are more than 3.63 million Syrians living in Turkey, most of them are still registered as refugees, while only a small proportion of them, or 55,000, have been granted Turkish citizenship. The Syrians are not very welcome by local Turkish communities in some cities, not only for cultural differences, but also due to the economic challenges.

More:Syrian refugees face rising resentment in post-election Turkey - Global Times

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Why's Everyone Worried About Turkey's Foreign Reserves? - Bloomberg

Why Is Everyone Worried About Turkey's Foreign Reserves?

By Onur Ant April 18, 2019, 2:44 PM EDT

Turkey’s central bank won’t explain what’s behind the recent moves in its foreign currency reserves -- and that’s making investors nervous. The lira weakened more than any other currency on Thursday amid speculation that the central bank was using money borrowed from commercial banks in short-term swaps to inflate its foreign reserve figures. It sank nearly 2 percent on growing concerns before paring some of those losses.

More:Why's Everyone Worried About Turkey's Foreign Reserves? - Bloomberg

Erodogan’s Turkey Crackdown Chronicle - Blitz

Erdogan's Turkey Crackdown Chronicle

April 18, 2019
Özgür Öğret

14 trials in one week for Özgür Gündem publisher Over the course of one week, Turkish courts agreed to proceed with 14 cases involving Ziya Çiçekçi, a former publisher of the shuttered pro-Kurdish daily Özgür Gündem, the Mezopotamya News Agency (MA) reported. All but one of the cases involve accusations of “making propaganda for a [terrorist] organization” (PKK) over columns or news stories published in the daily, the report said. The other trial relates to an accusation of “insult” related to a former governor, the report said. Seven trials were started against Çiçekçi on March 14; five on March 15 and two more on March 21, the report said.

More:Erdogan’s Turkey Crackdown Chronicle - Blitz

U.S. designates IS financial network working in Turkey | Ahval

U.S. designates IS financial network working in Turkey

The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated six individuals and a currency exchange company with offices in Turkey, Syria for their roles as conduit for the Islamic State financial network.

More:U.S. designates IS financial network working in Turkey | Ahval

ftnnews

Turkish Citizens Paid 52.7 Million Euro for Schengen Visa in 2018

Özgür Töre
18 April 2019

The European Commission revealed statistics for Schengen Visa applications in 2018. A total of 879,238 applications lodged in Turkey. 74 thousand of the applications are declined and Turks spent 52,754,280 euros in 2018 for Schengen visa.

More:ftnnews

Turkish Central Bank Data Puzzles Traders and Sends Lira Falling - Bloomberg

Turkish Central Bank Data Puzzles Traders and Sends Lira Falling
By Constantine Courcoulas
and Onur Ant
April 18, 2019, 5:11 AM EDT Updated on April 18, 2019, 9:55 AM EDT

The Turkish lira weakened after the central bank struggled to explain moves in foreign-currency reserves, fueling concern about the state of the nation’s finances amid the looming prospect of more political upheaval.

More:Turkish Central Bank Data Puzzles Traders and Sends Lira Falling - Bloomberg

Turkey's Opposition Wins One Battle in a Long War

Turkey's Opposition Wins One Battle in a Long War

Turkey held municipal elections last month, but the dust has yet to settle on the landmark polls. On April 17, however, the country's Supreme Electoral Board (YSK) took a major step toward clearing up the confusion by allowing Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) candidate in Istanbul, to finally receive his mandate for the mayoralty of the city from the Istanbul province election board. Confirmation of Imamoglu's win came more than two weeks after the March 31 election, in which the CHP candidate scored a razor-thin victory of just 13,729 votes out of more than 8 million votes cast.

More:Turkey's Opposition Wins One Battle in a Long War

Senior Turkish Official Discusses Dispute With Trump Administration Over Military Deal | WPPB

Senior Turkish Official Discusses Dispute With Trump Administration Over Military Deal

AILSA CHANG, HOST:

We're going to hear now from a senior Turkish official at a time when his country is in the middle of a dispute with the Trump administration over a military deal. Ibrahim Kalin is a senior adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

More:Senior Turkish Official Discusses Dispute With Trump Administration Over Military Deal | WPPB

Erdogan lashes out at Financial Times over report on economy | Miami Herald

Erdogan lashes out at Financial Times over report on economy
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
APRIL 18, 2019
ANKARA, Turkey
Turkey's president has lashed out at the Financial Times and other western media, accusing them of falsely portraying the economy as being on the brink of collapse.

More:Erdogan lashes out at Financial Times over report on economy | Miami Herald

Erdogan claims Sudanese coup actually targeted Turkey

Erdogan claims Sudanese coup actually targeted Turkey
READ IN: Türkçe
Fehim Tastekin April 18, 2019

Article Summary
Now that the Sudanese military has ousted the president who ruled there for three decades, it will be interesting to see how the new administration will approach Omar al-Bashir's longtime friend, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

More:Erdogan claims Sudanese coup actually targeted Turkey

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Erdogan seeks more help from Trump than he may be ready to give - Europe - Stripes

Erdogan seeks more help from Trump than he may be ready to give

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may be expecting more from Donald Trump than he's ready to deliver as the Turkish president tries to defuse his biggest diplomatic spat yet and prevent the economy from unraveling.

More:Erdogan seeks more help from Trump than he may be ready to give - Europe - Stripes

Tornos News | Greece and Turkey meet to enhance medical tourism collaboration

Greece and Turkey meet to enhance medical tourism collaboration

Focus on the health sector, in terms of both infrastructure and hospitals and in terms of medical staff Greek and Turkish officials met in Thessaloniki city to exchange technical know-how in medical tourism, Stefanos Chadzimanolis, vice-president of the Hellenic-Turkish Chamber of Northern Greece, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA).

More:Tornos News | Greece and Turkey meet to enhance medical tourism collaboration

Tornos News | Greece and Turkey meet to enhance medical tourism collaboration

Greece and Turkey meet to enhance medical tourism collaboration

Focus on the health sector, in terms of both infrastructure and hospitals and in terms of medical staff Greek and Turkish officials met in Thessaloniki city to exchange technical know-how in medical tourism, Stefanos Chadzimanolis, vice-president of the Hellenic-Turkish Chamber of Northern Greece, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA).

More:Tornos News | Greece and Turkey meet to enhance medical tourism collaboration

Istanbul's new mayor pleads for unity as AKP seethes

Istanbul's new mayor pleads for unity as AKP seethes

Amberin Zaman
April 17, 2019

Article Summary: Istanbul’s belatedly acknowledged Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu gave an all-embracing victory speech today as the ruling party's quest for an election redo continues.

More:Istanbul's new mayor pleads for unity as AKP seethes

Turkish opposition candidate declared Istanbul mayor | Elections 2018 News | Al Jazeera

Turkish opposition candidate declared Istanbul mayor

Ekrem Imamoglu receives formal mandate despite appeals from President Erdogan's AK Party for a rerun of the election.

More:Turkish opposition candidate declared Istanbul mayor | Elections 2018 News | Al Jazeera

Turkey lira CRISIS: New election could spark CHAOS for currency – market strategist | City & Business | Finance | Express.co.uk

Turkey lira CRISIS: New election could spark CHAOS for currency – market strategist

TURKEY could be plunged into a new currency crisis if President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is successful in launching a new election for the city of Istanbul, a market strategist has claimed.

More:Turkey lira CRISIS: New election could spark CHAOS for currency – market strategist | City & Business | Finance | Express.co.uk

Turkey's opposition takes office in Istanbul, appeal still pending - Reuters

Turkey's opposition takes office in Istanbul, appeal still pending
Ali Kucukgocmen

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey’s main opposition candidate was declared Istanbul’s mayor on Wednesday after election recounts were finally completed, despite an appeal still pending by President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party to re-run the vote in the country’s largest city.

More:Turkey's opposition takes office in Istanbul, appeal still pending - Reuters

University graduates swell Turkey’s army of jobless

University graduates swell Turkey’s army of jobless

Mustafa Sonmez April 17, 2019

Article Summary: More than a fourth of Turkey’s 4.7 million unemployed are graduates of higher education — an alarming trend that reflects not only the country’s economic downturn, but its faltering university system.

More:University graduates swell Turkey’s army of jobless

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Erdogan's Slog in Cities Underscored by Decade-High Joblessness - Bloomberg

Erdogan's Slog in Cities Underscored by Decade-High Joblessness
By Selcan Hacaoglu and Onur Ant
April 15, 2019, 3:57 AM EDT Updated on April 15, 2019, 8:05 AM EDT

The rising tide of unemployment is driving Turkey’s economy deeper into distress as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party refuses to turn the page on its electoral defeat in the country’s biggest city.

More:Erdogan's Slog in Cities Underscored by Decade-High Joblessness - Bloomberg

Erdogan's AK Party submits appeal for rerun of Istanbul elections - Reuters

Erdogan's AK Party submits appeal for rerun of Istanbul elections

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party has submitted its appeal for the annulment and rerun of Istanbul’s municipal elections, broadcaster CNN Turk said on Tuesday, more than two weeks after the vote.

More:Erdogan's AK Party submits appeal for rerun of Istanbul elections - Reuters

Erdoğan's dilemma: Will he accept his party's election losses?

Erdoğan's dilemma: Will he accept his party's election losses?
by M. Bahadır Gülle | April 16, 2019 12:00 AM

In the recent municipal election, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling Justice and Development Party lost to its opposition in two major cities, Istanbul and Ankara. Istanbul is the economic powerhouse of Turkey, and its loss is a major blow to Erdoğan, who during his campaign repeatedly said “whoever wins Istanbul, wins Turkey.” Before the election, there was almost a consensus that Turkey is an authoritarian regime, and the discussion was over which type of authoritarian regime it was. But after the election, a mood of optimism has taken hold both at home and abroad. Opponents of Erdoğan started to believe that they can really change things. And some observers in the West celebrated the victory of the opposition as a proof that Turkey is still a democracy.

More:Erdoğan's dilemma: Will he accept his party's election losses?

Monday, April 15, 2019

Loser Erdoğan throws a tantrum after losing Istanbul

Loser Erdoğan throws a tantrum after losing Istanbul

by Tom Rogan | April 15, 2019

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a man of arrogance and uncertain mental stability. He is ill-disposed to accepting embarrassing election losses.

More:Loser Erdoğan throws a tantrum after losing Istanbul

The Turkish Obama? Ekrem imamoğlu and his fight to Istanbul | CRYPTO COIN DISCOVERY

The Turkish Obama? Ekrem imamoğlu and his fight to Istanbul

By Teodora Torrendo - April 15, 2019

“Give him the mandate, let’s give him the mandate, give imamoğlu his mandate!” The scene of Saturday evening will be shared later on social media like crazy. With a mandate – “Mazbata”, it is the certificate of appointment for the mayor of Istanbul, largest city Turkey. Ekrem imamoğlu, that is to say Imamolu, of the center-left party, CHP, the office had on March 31. March won the local election with a paper-thin advantage. But officially started, the 48 was not allowed to-Year-old so far. Still fiercely arguing over the voting of the shares, via new Recounts, through complaints to the competition.

More:The Turkish Obama? Ekrem imamoğlu and his fight to Istanbul | CRYPTO COIN DISCOVERY

Istanbul: Two days, two derbies, two continents, one new football power emerging - BBC Sport

Istanbul: Two days, two derbies, two continents, one new football power emerging

By Shamoon Hafez

Insight banner Besiktas fans' 'Tifo' before Saturday's match Besiktas are the third most successful side in Turkish Super Lig history "Mazbatayi ver, mazbatayi ver, mazbatayi ver, Imamoglu'na!" The Besiktas fans are chanting before their home match against local rivals Istanbul Basaksehir and it is very, very loud. Football in Turkey's biggest city always means colour, passion and noise, but Saturday's game was being played in special circumstances, between two very different clubs.

More:Istanbul: Two days, two derbies, two continents, one new football power emerging - BBC Sport

Restructuring in Turkey: A new paradigm? | White & Case LLP - JDSupra

Restructuring in Turkey: A new paradigm?

White & Case LLPAs more Turkish companies begin to report liquidity issues and economic pressures begin to bite, successful financial restructurings are likely to become increasingly critical to the prosperity of the Turkish economy.

More:Restructuring in Turkey: A new paradigm? | White & Case LLP - JDSupra

Do Not Take Your Eyes Away From Turkey | Seeking Alpha

Do Not Take Your Eyes Away From Turkey
Apr. 15, 2019 8:05 AM ET |
Includes: EEM

Turkey's rotten fundamentals have not improved one bit since last year's massive sell-off in the Lira, which threatened the viability of the Turkish economy as a whole.

The Lira has been steadily weakening since the start of the year, and Erdogan has been at his autocratic best in trying to stem weakness in the Lira again.

Watch Turkey closely, as I believe last year's saga is about the repeat itself again.

More:Do Not Take Your Eyes Away From Turkey | Seeking Alpha

Appeals and recounts spark frustration as Istanbul vote count enters third week | Euronews

Appeals and recounts spark frustration as Istanbul vote count enters third week

By Reuters

By Tuvan Gumrukcu ANKARA (Reuters) - Electoral officials ordered a second recount of votes in an east Istanbul district on Monday, after two weeks of appeals by President Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party against results showing it had narrowly lost control of Turkey's largest city.

More:Appeals and recounts spark frustration as Istanbul vote count enters third week | Euronews

An unlikely casualty of a hard Brexit - Turkey's exports - Reuters

An unlikely casualty of a hard Brexit - Turkey's exports
Can Sezer, Gabriela Baczynska

ISTANBUL/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The threat of a hard British exit from the European Union looms large over a country that has a big stake in the process but no official say: Turkey.

More:An unlikely casualty of a hard Brexit - Turkey's exports - Reuters

To Turn Turkey's Economy Around, Erdogan May Have To Loosen Control : NPR

To Turn Turkey's Economy Around, Erdogan May Have To Loosen Control

Peter Kenyon

After some stinging losses in local elections, Turkey's ruling party is trying to revive the economy. But that'll be difficult as long as President Erdogan doesn't want to share power.

More:To Turn Turkey's Economy Around, Erdogan May Have To Loosen Control : NPR

Turkish unemployment jumps to highest in nearly a decade - Reuters

Turkish unemployment jumps to highest in nearly a decade

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey’s unemployment rate surged to 14.7 percent in the December-February period, its highest level in nearly a decade according to official data on Monday, as the effects of last year’s currency crisis continued to weigh on workers.

More:Turkish unemployment jumps to highest in nearly a decade - Reuters

Sunday, April 14, 2019

CNN Host Equates Trump And Netanyahu With Putin, Erdogan | The Daily Caller

CNN Host Equates Trump And Netanyahu With Putin, Erdogan
12:03 PM 04/14/2019 | Media
Virginia Kruta | Associate Editor

CNN’s Fareed Zakaria delivered an opening statement Sunday that equated President Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

More:CNN Host Equates Trump And Netanyahu With Putin, Erdogan | The Daily Caller

Heading for Cyprus, US Sen. Menendez Fires at Turkey - The National Herald

Heading for Cyprus, US Sen. Menendez Fires at Turkey
By TNH Staff April 14, 2019

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, FILE)

Due on the divided island of Cyprus on April 15 for an unofficial visit. New Jersey Democratic US Senator Robert Menendez said America won’t tolerate Turkey’s tough stance in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“We made it clear that we will no longer accept Turkey’s aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean region,” the newspaper Phileleftheros quoted Menendez as saying in response to Turkey trying to keep out foreign energy companies – including ExxonMobil – from drilling for oil and gas off the island where it is licensed.

More:Heading for Cyprus, US Sen. Menendez Fires at Turkey - The National Herald

Turkey, a democracy in crisis | News24

Turkey, a democracy in crisis

Turkey's opposition worries as Istanbul votes go to recount NATO anniversary party turns ugly as US rips Germany, Turkey Erdogan faces serious setbacks in Turkish local elections President Erdogan regularly vilifies journalists as "terrorists" while stoking fears of terrorism among his citizens. He frequently eschews facts and voices conspiracy theories, writes Ivan Phahle. The aim of this article is to explore what role can the South African government, mainstream media, non-governmental organisation and activists play in protecting and promoting human rights in Turkey.

More:Turkey, a democracy in crisis | News24

Election appeals that would resolve Turkey’s election | Infosurhoy

Election appeals that would resolve Turkey’s election

by Denis Bedoya | Apr 12, 2019 | News

ANKARA, April 5 – Turkey’s AK Party has filed objections to initial results of Sunday’s local elections in all districts of Istanbul and Ankara, after they showed narrow victories for the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

More:Election appeals that would resolve Turkey’s election | Infosurhoy

EU throws unemployed journalists in Turkey a lifeline | Europe| News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 13.04.2019

EU throws unemployed journalists in Turkey a lifeline

Journalism is under threat in Turkey, not least because 1 in 4 journalists is out of a job. An EU-funded program called "Media for Democracy," or M4D, aims to protect journalists — though it faces multiple challenges.

More:EU throws unemployed journalists in Turkey a lifeline | Europe| News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 13.04.2019

Saturday, April 13, 2019

Events in Sudan deal blow to Turkish AKP project | Yavuz Baydar | AW

Events in Sudan deal blow to Turkish AKP project

The vote results in Istanbul, which turned out to be a nightmare for Erdogan and his cronies, has become strong proof of AKP’s shortcomings.

More:Events in Sudan deal blow to Turkish AKP project | Yavuz Baydar | AW

Turkey’s Erdoğan must choose between losing Istanbul and losing legitimacy | Ahval

Turkey’s Erdoğan must choose between losing Istanbul and losing legitimacy

When Turkey’s opposition won some of the biggest municipalities in local elections on March 31, many analysts proclaimed the triumph of Turkish democracy.

The elections featured a much better organised opposition than before, and a still highly engaged electorate. They also showed that major political positions can still be won by opposition parties through elections, though President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) is trying to have the Istanbul results overturned.

More:Turkey’s Erdoğan must choose between losing Istanbul and losing legitimacy | Ahval

In Imamoğlu Turkey’s CHP found a politician that can broaden appeal - analysis | Ahval

In Imamoğlu Turkey’s CHP found a politician that can broaden appeal - analysis

Turkey’s secularist Republican People Party (CHP) has managed to attract pious voters by choosing Ekrem İmamoğlu, a practicing Muslim, as its mayoral candidate for Istanbul, Foreign Affairs said on Friday.

More:In Imamoğlu Turkey’s CHP found a politician that can broaden appeal - analysis | Ahval

Friday, April 12, 2019

Chinaʹs oppression of the Uighurs: Save our Turkic brothers, Mr. President! - Qantara.de

Save our Turkic brothers, Mr. President!

Following a long silence, the Turkish government yielded to pressure from its nationalist voter base in February – arguably in a bid to garner local election votes – and criticized the persecution of the Uighur people by China. Yet how to strike a balance between Turkic solidarity and pressing economic interests? By Ulrich von Schwerin

More:Chinaʹs oppression of the Uighurs: Save our Turkic brothers, Mr. President! - Qantara.de

What Happens in Istanbul Will Not Stay in Istanbul

What Happens in Istanbul Will Not Stay in Istanbul

Burak Kadercan
April 12, 2019

Commentary On March 31, Turkey went through yet another historic election. On the surface, the election itself is not that important: Unlike the parliamentary and presidential elections of the last year, Turkey’s local elections do not play any meaningful role in the distribution of executive or legislative power. Such elections merely decide who will run the basic public services at the municipal level. The results of the March 31 elections, despite all the fanfare it’s getting in domestic and foreign media, also did not produce a game-changing outcome. The Justice and Democracy Party (AKP) lost some of the largest urban areas, but, along with its ultranationalist ally, the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), was able to secure more than 51 percent of the votes nationwide.

More:What Happens in Istanbul Will Not Stay in Istanbul

Why Erdoğan's political machine is losing its grip over Turkey | EUROPP

Why Erdoğan’s political machine is losing its grip over Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan suffered a significant setback in local elections held at the end of March. Sevinç Bermek writes that the elections highlighted the extent to which Erdoğan and his party are beginning to lose their grip over Turkish politics in the aftermath of the country’s financial and economic crisis.

More:Why Erdoğan's political machine is losing its grip over Turkey | EUROPP

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Media: Turkey concerned about contracts signed with Sudan

Media: Turkey concerned about contracts signed with Sudan

Turkey is concerned about the fate of contracts signed with Sudan, Trend reports via Turkish media.

Turkey has several contracts with Sudan, including oil and gas exploration in Sudan by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), the restoration of the island of Suakin and the creation of a naval base.

More:Media: Turkey concerned about contracts signed with Sudan

Talking Turkey: Regulators Lower Credit Card Interest to Stimulate Economy

Talking Turkey: Regulators Lower Credit Card Interest to Stimulate Economy
Brian Riley by Brian Riley
April 11, 2019

Turkey, with its population of 86 million is boarded by Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, plus the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The country has one of the largest bank card populations in the middle east region, according to the Turkish regulator agency, as Hurriyet Daily News reports. The economy, however, is beginning to slow down says the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The Turkish payment card market is progressive, with major banks such as Akbank, Garanti Bank, Yapi, DenizBank and TEB being early adopters of EMV and digital banking; the first payment wallet supposedly originated in that market. Turkey launched a domestic payment card to compete with Mastercard and Visa. Similar to other domestic payment schemes, such as Mir (Russia), RuPay (India), and Union Pay (China), Turkey’s Troy Card has international operability due to its bilateral arrangement with Discover Financial Services.

More:Talking Turkey: Regulators Lower Credit Card Interest to Stimulate Economy

'Radical Love Book' hailed as key to Turkish opposition election success | Middle East Eye

'Radical Love Book' hailed as key to Turkish opposition election success
New communications strategy by Republican People's Party aimed at rising above aggressive and divisive campaigning

By Nick Ashdown
in Istanbul

Turkey’s beleaguered opposition won a rare victory in last week’s local elections, taking many of the country’s largest cities, which represent a big chunk of the country’s GDP and hold huge symbolic value.

More:'Radical Love Book' hailed as key to Turkish opposition election success | Middle East Eye

How Turkey’s industry could suffer from the S-400 deal with Russia

How Turkey’s industry could suffer from the S-400 deal with Russia
By: Burak Ege Bekdil  

ANKARA, Turkey — After experiencing a decade of growth, Turkey’s increasingly vibrant defense industry may fall victim to the government’s quest to purchase the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile defense system, a deal that will make Turkey the first NATO ally to deploy the system on its soil.

More:How Turkey’s industry could suffer from the S-400 deal with Russia

How the US-Turkey relationship fell apart - Vox

How America’s relationship with Turkey fell apart
The NATO allies’ partnership has devolved into a “slow-motion car crash.”
By Alex Ward

The United States and one of its longtime NATO allies, Turkey, are suffering a complete breakdown in their relationship — and it’s unclear if it will ever recover.

More:How the US-Turkey relationship fell apart - Vox

Turkish lira hit by dwindling FX reserves, confidence - Reuters

Turkish lira hit by dwindling FX reserves, confidence
Ali Kucukgocmen

ISTANBUL, April 11 (Reuters) - Turkey’s lira dipped to its weakest level in more than two weeks on Thursday on concerns over the country’s dwindling net reserves, with disappointment over an economic reform plan and local election uncertainty also weighing on sentiment.

More:Turkish lira hit by dwindling FX reserves, confidence - Reuters

Turks develop online game on quest to become Istanbul mayor | Ahval

Turks develop online game on quest to become Istanbul mayor

A Turkish website has published an online game parodying the efforts of the opposition’s Istanbul mayoral candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu to have his election win certified by authorities 11 days after polls.

Turkey’s ruling Islamists have has called for a recount or a rerun of the election for mayor of the country’s biggest city and financial hub while İmamoğlu’s secular party has demanded the electoral board issue his certificate of election, which is required for him to take office.

In the online game entitled “Certification of Election ” İmamoğlu leaps over a series of boxes to collect votes from the 39 districts of Istanbul. If all votes are collected successfully, İmamoğlu receives his authorisation in the end and thanks the player.

More:Turks develop online game on quest to become Istanbul mayor | Ahval

Turkey to Bolster State-Owned Banks in Bid to Revive Economy

Turkey's Biggest Banking Handout in 18 Years Seen as Not Enough

(Bloomberg) -- Turkey’s biggest financial pledge in 18 years to bolster its banks may not be the silver bullet needed to pull the Middle East’s largest economy out of recession.

More:Turkey to Bolster State-Owned Banks in Bid to Revive Economy

Trump’s Neocons See Erdogan As Their Ticket To A Region-Wide Middle East War – OpEd – Eurasia Review

Trump’s Neocons See Erdogan As Their Ticket To A Region-Wide Middle East War – OpEd

April 11, 2019 Mike Whitney

Turkish troops and armored units are massed along Turkey’s southern border awaiting orders to invade northern Syria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to clear a ten mile-deep swath of land east of the Euphrates River in order to remove terrorist-linked militants (YPG) currently occupying the territory. The proposed offensive would put US Special Forces in the line of fire which significantly increases the likelihood of US casualties. If American troops are killed or wounded by the Turkish operation, Washington will respond in force leading to a potentially catastrophic face-off between the two NATO allies. The possibility of a violent clash between Turkey and the United States has never been greater than it is today.

More:Trump’s Neocons See Erdogan As Their Ticket To A Region-Wide Middle East War – OpEd – Eurasia Review

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Turkey’s import impasse | Features | Drapers

Turkey’s import impasse

10 April 2019
By Kirsty McGregor

The threat of a no-deal Brexit is leading UK companies to reconsider Turkey as a sourcing destination, but there is still a lack of certainty

More:Turkey’s import impasse | Features | Drapers

What Will Happen To Istanbul Ataturk Airport? - Simple Flying

What Will Happen To Istanbul Ataturk Airport?
By Nicholas
April 10, 2019

Whilst the world attention has been focused on the opening and operation of Istanbul’s new international airport, few have questioned what will become of the older Ataturk International Airport. Will it be redeveloped, demolished or simply abandoned?

More:What Will Happen To Istanbul Ataturk Airport? - Simple Flying

Turkey accused of systematic assault on legal profession | News | Law Society Gazette

Turkey accused of systematic assault on legal profession

By Michael Cross10 April 2019

The government of Turkey stands accused of a systematic attack on the role of lawyers in a major report by an international human rights body today. The Human Rights Watch report, Lawyers on Trial, catalogues the measures taken by the Turkish authorities against lawyers acting for terrorist suspects since the failed military coup in July 2016.

More:Turkey accused of systematic assault on legal profession | News | Law Society Gazette

Mass Prosecution of Lawyers in Turkey, US Rights Group Claims

Mass Prosecution of Lawyers in Turkey, US Rights Group Claims

April 10, 2019 3:23 AM
Dorian Jones

ISTANBUL — Turkey is “arbitrarily” jailing hundreds of lawyers, according to a report released Wednesday by the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch. The imprisonments are part of an ongoing legal crackdown following the failed 2016 coup attempt.

More:Mass Prosecution of Lawyers in Turkey, US Rights Group Claims

Tuesday, April 09, 2019

U.S. senators introduce bill to sanction Turkish officials ...

U.S. senators introduce bill to sanction Turkish officials over detentions
by Reuters
Tuesday, 9 April 2019 23:00 GMT

By Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON, April 9 (Reuters) - Two U.S. senators on Tuesday introduced a bipartisan bill requiring the imposition of sanctions on Turkish officials responsible for the detentions of U.S. citizens and local consulate staff in Turkey, a statement on the legislation said.

More:U.S. senators introduce bill to sanction Turkish officials ...

Erdogan’s Worst Enemy Is His Only Ally – Foreign Policy

Erdogan’s Worst Enemy Is His Only Ally
The real winner of Turkey’s local elections is the ultranationalist MHP party.
By Selim Sazak | April 9, 2019, 3:31 PM

Turkey’s local elections on March 31 ended with a plot twist: The secular opposition scored a surprise upset against the country’s strongman president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The opposition’s victory is historic, particularly considering that Erdogan, who has not lost a single election since he was elected Istanbul’s mayor in 1994, saw his party lose key races that he had turned into a referendum on himself.

More:Erdogan’s Worst Enemy Is His Only Ally – Foreign Policy

Vanguard Outshines Bond Peers as Bearish Turkey Bet Pays Off - Bloomberg

When Betting Against Erdogan Is a Winning Trade
By Selcuk Gokoluk
April 9, 2019, 8:42 AM EDT Updated on April 9, 2019, 10:14 AM EDT

Fund bought lira put options as volatility dropped in March
Data shows fund outperformed 96% of peers over past month

By betting against the lira in the run-up to Turkish elections last month, Vanguard Asset Management netted one of the top returns among emerging-market bond funds. Money-manager Nick Eisinger sees no reason to switch from his bearish view.

More:Vanguard Outshines Bond Peers as Bearish Turkey Bet Pays Off - Bloomberg

Erdogan's Party Says It Will Seek Rerun of Vote in Istanbul - Bloomberg

Erdogan's Party Says It Will Seek Rerun of Vote in Istanbul
By Firat Kozok
and Selcan Hacaoglu
April 9, 2019, 4:02 AM EDT Updated on April 9, 2019, 8:12 AM EDT

Battle for control of Turkey’s largest city enters second week
Opposition had won mayor’s race for first time in 25 years

Turkey’s governing party will request a rerun of last month’s mayoral election in Istanbul, stoking concerns that the country’s democracy is fraying as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan refuses to concede defeat in the city where he built his political career.

More:Erdogan's Party Says It Will Seek Rerun of Vote in Istanbul - Bloomberg

What if Turkey squeezed the London lira market to death? - Reuters

What if Turkey squeezed the London lira market to death?
Marc Jones, Karin Strohecker

LONDON (Reuters) - Turkey’s authorities have shown over the past month they are capable of squeezing the life out of the $35 billion (26.75 billion pounds)-a-day London lira market - but the cost of killing it off completely would be high for country itself.

More:What if Turkey squeezed the London lira market to death? - Reuters

Turkish Prosecutor’s Document Suggests Turkey Spying on US Soil | Jewish & Israel News Algemeiner.com

Turkish Prosecutor’s Document Suggests Turkey Spying on US Soil
avatar by John Rossomando

A Turkish prosecution document obtained by the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) could offer the first public documentation showing that Turkey is spying on people in the United States.

More:Turkish Prosecutor’s Document Suggests Turkey Spying on US Soil | Jewish & Israel News Algemeiner.com

Monday, April 08, 2019

Turkey Democracy Fear as Erdogan Seeks Istanbul Election Rerun - Bloomberg

Erdogan's Push for Another Istanbul Vote Fuels Democracy Concerns
By Selcan Hacaoglu
and Firat Kozok
April 8, 2019, 3:57 AM EDT Updated on April 8, 2019, 11:37 AM EDT

Ruling party is pushing election board to repeat vote in city
Opponents accuse him of interfering in democratic process

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan intensified his push for a rerun of last month’s election in Turkey’s biggest city, fueling concerns that an authoritarian streak in government is deepening and rattling investors in the Middle East’s leading economy.
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More:Turkey Democracy Fear as Erdogan Seeks Istanbul Election Rerun - Bloomberg

Erdogan Is Weak. And Invincible. | Council on Foreign Relations

Erdogan Is Weak. And Invincible.

Turkey’s president has rarely been so unpopular. He’s likely to dominate this week’s local elections anyway.

More:Erdogan Is Weak. And Invincible. | Council on Foreign Relations

Honda will stop car production in Turkey after 2021

Honda will stop car production in Turkey after 2021
8 April 2019 13:49 (UTC+04:00)
340

By Trend

Honda has decided to end car production in Turkey following completion of the production of its current Civic Sedan model in 2021, the company said in a statement on Monday, reports Trend with reference to Reuters.

More:Honda will stop car production in Turkey after 2021

Opinion | The Rise and Rise of the Turkish Right - The New York Times

The Rise and Rise of the Turkish Right

The opposition parties challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offer another version of the right-wing nationalism of his party and its nationalist partner.

More:Opinion | The Rise and Rise of the Turkish Right - The New York Times

Opposition candidate victory confirmed in Ankara - Politics - ANSAMed.it

Opposition candidate victory confirmed in Ankara

After partial recount obtained by Erdogan's AKP

ISTANBUL, APRIL 8 - The contested mayoral election in Ankara officially closed on Monday in favour of CHP opposition candidate Mansur Yavas, following a partial recount of about 125,000 votes obtained by the AKP party of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

More:Opposition candidate victory confirmed in Ankara - Politics - ANSAMed.it

RPT-Erdogan's election setback dents hopes for big economic reforms in Turkey - Reuters

RPT-Erdogan's election setback dents hopes for big economic reforms in Turkey

Ali Kucukgocmen, Jonathan Spicer

ISTANBUL, April 8 (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan’s losses in local elections have dented investors’ hopes that Turkey will adopt painful reforms they say are needed to stabilise the economy as he moves to shore up his political base.

More:RPT-Erdogan's election setback dents hopes for big economic reforms in Turkey - Reuters

Local election results will complicate Turkey’s security choices

Local election results will complicate Turkey’s security choices
Metin Gurcan April 8, 2019

Article Summary
Despite electoral losses suffered by the alliance led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the nationalists in that alliance were able to improve their standing, which will surely affect Erdogan's future security choices.

More:Local election results will complicate Turkey’s security choices

Turkish Banks Sweat Under Rising Pile of Debt Restructurings - Bloomberg

Turkish Banks Sweat Under Rising Pile of Debt Restructurings
By Ercan Ersoy
and Fercan Yalinkilic
April 8, 2019, 12:00 AM EDT

Queue of companies seeking to renegotiate loans growing longer
Lenders under pressure as economy shrinks, boosting bad debts

More:Turkish Banks Sweat Under Rising Pile of Debt Restructurings - Bloomberg

Sunday, April 07, 2019

Erdogan’s ‘milestone on the road to the end’ | Claude Salhani | MEO

Erdogan’s ‘milestone on the road to the end’

The people are far more concerned with the foundering economy than putting the country on a path to becoming an Islamic republic, somewhat like Iran.

More:Erdogan’s ‘milestone on the road to the end’ | Claude Salhani | MEO

The Guardian view on Turkey and Erdoğan: a weakened strongman | Editorial | Opinion | The Guardian

The Guardian view on Turkey and Erdoğan: a weakened strongman Editorial

The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives at a news conference in Istanbul ‘There is no doubt about the blow dealt to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the country’s authoritarian president, after 16 years at the helm.’ Photograph: Bülent Kılıç/AFP/Getty Images Strongmen are not invincible. The stunning news that the Turkish opposition had surged to victory in local elections – as startling to the opposition itself as anyone – is on hold following objections from the ruling AKP. In the coming days, the final results will be announced. Legal proceedings are likely; a concerted media attack on the expression of the democratic will as a “coup at the ballot box”, under malign foreign influence, is already under way.

More:The Guardian view on Turkey and Erdoğan: a weakened strongman | Editorial | Opinion | The Guardian

The Alevis Dilemma – Turkey’s Erdogan sets a religious minority on a collision course with Erdogan’s Turkey

The Alevis Dilemma – Turkey’s Erdogan sets a religious minority on a collision course with Erdogan’s Turkey
Published on April 7, 2019 by Norvell B. DeAtkine

A significant religious minority in Turkey, the Alevis, have become increasingly subject to President Erdogan’s populist ire, as they find themselves on a collision course with the Islamification and ‘Turkification’ of Turkey.

When I visited Antalya, Turkey, in the late 1990s, I was surprised by the amount of Syrian Arabic I heard on the streets. Antalya, the eighth-most populous city in Turkey, was suffused with a cascade of Syrian tourists at the time, coming across the border to enjoy the beautiful countryside of the Orontes River and Nur mountains. As I sat in the shade, looking at the young Syrian Arabs enjoying themselves on their first vacation abroad, I began to reminisce about one of my earliest trips to the area.

More:The Alevis Dilemma – Turkey’s Erdogan sets a religious minority on a collision course with Erdogan’s Turkey

Turkey once again faces onion shortage, extreme price rise | Ahval

Turkey once again faces onion shortage, extreme price rise

Onion prices on the Turkish market hiked up to nearly 10 Turkish liras per kg as the country faces onion shortage, Turkish newspaper Sözcü reported on Sunday.

Before the March 31 local election, Turkish authorities started selling cheap fruits and vegetables at food stalls in city squares. As of the election is over, the government carried food stalls into supermarkets.

More:Turkey once again faces onion shortage, extreme price rise | Ahval

Saturday, April 06, 2019

Turkey: the wondrous tale of democratic resilience | Green Left Weekly

Turkey: the wondrous tale of democratic resilience
Arash Azizi
April 7, 2019

An American historian, Hayden White, once made fame by claiming that historical accounts were essentially like novels, each with their own plot and structure. Whatever we think about White’s post-modern move, histories of early 21st-century Turkey are sure to read like thrillers with so many ups and downs.

More:Turkey: the wondrous tale of democratic resilience | Green Left Weekly

Spotlight: Turkey's election results remain in limbo as ruling party disputes opposition's victory in major cities - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Spotlight: Turkey's election results remain in limbo as ruling party disputes opposition's victory in major cities
Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-07 06:10:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan

ANKARA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Turkey has so far not declared the final results of the local elections held on March 31 as the ruling party contested the slim victory by the opposition in the country's largest city Istanbul and the capital Ankara.

More:Spotlight: Turkey's election results remain in limbo as ruling party disputes opposition's victory in major cities - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Istanbul Candidate: Recount Could Bring ‘Dangerous’ Changes - New Delhi Times - India's Only International Newspaper

Istanbul Candidate: Recount Could Bring ‘Dangerous’ Changes
By New Delhi Times Bureau on April 6, 2019

“I am not worried about voting results,” said Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition mayoral candidate in Istanbul. “I am worried about a system being poorly managed.” He spoke to VOA on Friday as elections officials conducted a recount of last Sunday’s vote.

More:Istanbul Candidate: Recount Could Bring ‘Dangerous’ Changes - New Delhi Times - India's Only International Newspaper

15 amazing ways to experience Turkey

15 amazing ways to experience Turkey

The country is so vast and varied, it truly has something for everyone, from rand-friendly family holidays to gourmet sailing to biking adventures

More:15 amazing ways to experience Turkey

i24NEWS - Erdogan's ruling AKP ready to accept election recount results

Erdogan's ruling AKP ready to accept election recount results

The AKP originally appealed saying it had found irregularities in tens of thousands of votes

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AKP party will accept the results of local election recounts in Ankara and Istanbul no matter which party is declared the winner, according to a statement from a party spokesman on Saturday.

More:i24NEWS - Erdogan's ruling AKP ready to accept election recount results

One of Europe's Largest Airlines Is Changing Gates for Erdogan - Bloomberg

One of Europe's Largest Airlines Is Changing Gates for Erdogan By Ercan Ersoy April 6, 2019,

Turkish Airlines is packing up and moving its base to the new $11 billion Istanbul airport in a key test of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s splurge on infrastructure. The move -- a 45-hour sprint slated to end at midnight on Saturday -- is a massive undertaking, involving transporting more than 1,000 tons of equipment every hour from the 1950s-era Ataturk hub to the giant new airport, which occupies an area larger than Manhattan.

More:One of Europe's Largest Airlines Is Changing Gates for Erdogan - Bloomberg

Controversial recounts endanger Turkish electoral board’s integrity | Ahval

Controversial recounts endanger Turkish electoral board’s integrity

The local elections took place in Turkey last Sunday night, but thanks to persistent challenges by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the votes in key districts and municipalities have still not officially been tallied.

More:Controversial recounts endanger Turkish electoral board’s integrity | Ahval

Istanbul New Airport: First flight was to Ankara and a proud Turkish Nation is celebrating | Travel News | eTurboNews

Istanbul New Airport: First flight was to Ankara and a proud Turkish Nation is celebrating

By Juergen T Steinmetz - April 6, 2019 162 Share The Great Move to Istanbul Airport concluded. A proud city, a proud country and a proud airline are celebrating today in Turkey.

More:Istanbul New Airport: First flight was to Ankara and a proud Turkish Nation is celebrating | Travel News | eTurboNews

Erdogan embraced Trump’s politics to stay in power – has it finally failed him? – The Express Tribune Blog

Erdogan embraced Trump’s politics to stay in power – has it finally failed him?

By Darius Shahtahmasebi
Published: April 6, 2019

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s embrace of Donald Trump-era populist politics not only appears to be nearing its inevitable end, but apparently has done Erdogan no favours in the long run. In mid-July 2016, an attempted coup in Turkey carried out by a faction of Turkey’s armed forces led to what can only be described as a brutal crackdown, as Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) crushed any potential resistance with an iron fist that made even some of history’s former despots pale in comparison.

More:Erdogan embraced Trump’s politics to stay in power – has it finally failed him? – The Express Tribune Blog

Turkish central bank decreases credit card interest rates | Ahval

Turkish central bank decreases credit card interest rates

Turkish Central Bank announced on Friday that it had decreased the monthly maximum contractual interest rate for the credit card borrowings to 2.15 percent for the Turkish lira.

The bank revised the monthly maximum contractual interest rate for the credit card borrowings as 1.72 percent for foreign exchange transactions. It also set the monthly maximum overdue interest rate as 2.65 percent for the Turkish lira and 2.22 percent for foreign exchange transactions

More:Turkish central bank decreases credit card interest rates | Ahval

Turkey’s AKP fears losing financial power of Istanbul municipality - experts | Ahval

Turkey’s AKP fears losing financial power of Istanbul municipality - experts

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which according to unofficial results lost mayoral races in key cities like Istanbul and Ankara on Sunday, challenges the results, as a defeat will mean losing enormous financial powers, Deutsche Welle Turkish said on Friday.

More:Turkey’s AKP fears losing financial power of Istanbul municipality - experts | Ahval

Friday, April 05, 2019

Turkey Unsettled – OpEd – Eurasia Review

Turkey Unsettled – OpEd
April 6, 2019 Neville Teller

By Neville Teller

Turkey held nationwide local elections on 31 March. The ruling AKP (Justice and Development Party) won more that 50 percent of votes overall, but lost control in the capital, Ankara, and in the nation’s commercial centre, Istanbul. They are contesting both sets of results.

MOre:Turkey Unsettled – OpEd – Eurasia Review

'This is Turkey!': Syrian refugees face the force of growing Turkish resentment | Middle East Eye

'This is Turkey!': Syrian refugees face the force of growing Turkish resentment

Violent riots break out in Istanbul as fears over job competition, crime and culture spark xenophobic backlash

More:'This is Turkey!': Syrian refugees face the force of growing Turkish resentment | Middle East Eye

Why Turkey's Opposition Shouldn't Underestimate Erdogan

Why Turkey's Opposition Shouldn't Underestimate Erdogan

By Sinan Ciddi

Turkey's main opposition party and its electoral partner pulled off a stunning upset of the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in local elections on March 31. Voters in Ankara, the capital, and Istanbul, Turkey's industrial and economic center, opted for candidates from the Republican People's Party (CHP) rather than support candidates from the party that has ruled them since 1994. CHP candidates also won in five other large cities, dealing a blow to Erdogan and the AKP on multiple fronts.

More:Why Turkey's Opposition Shouldn't Underestimate Erdogan

Turkey’s state-run news agency under fire for irregular poll coverage

Turkey’s state-run news agency under fire for irregular poll coverage

Nimet Kirac April 5, 2019

Article Summary

Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency is under fire for its bizarre coverage of the Istanbul mayoral race, during which the agency stopped reporting polling results when it became clear the opposition was bound for victory.

More:Turkey’s state-run news agency under fire for irregular poll coverage

Erdogan should seize the chance for change in Turkey

Erdogan should seize the chance for change in Turkey

By Soner Cagaptay

April 5, 2019 at 11:46 AM
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the media after Friday prayers in Istanbul. (AP)

More:Erdogan should seize the chance for change in Turkey

Erdogan accuses US, Europe of 'meddling' after Turkey vote

Erdogan accuses US, Europe of 'meddling' after Turkey vote

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday accused the US and Europe of "meddling" in Turkey's affairs after statements from Western allies following his ruling party's challenge to local election results.

More:Erdogan accuses US, Europe of 'meddling' after Turkey vote

Istanbul mayoral front-runner retains lead during recount

Istanbul mayoral front-runner retains lead during recount

Ayla Jean Yackley
April 4, 2019

Article Summary

Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition candidate for mayor, says it’s impossible for his opponent to overtake him, but supporters of the ruling party’s Binali Yildirim say their man will win if the recount is expanded.

More:Istanbul mayoral front-runner retains lead during recount

Thursday, April 04, 2019

Erdogan's hubris

Erdogan's hubris
Friday, 05 April 2019 | Pioneer

The Turkish President may have lost the local elections but he is still holding, for now

Coups, even if they are unsuccessful, tend to fatally weaken leaders in most parts of the world. The events of the evening of July 15, 2016, where a faction of the Turkish armed forces led an attempted coup against Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, did not have such an impact. It strengthened Turkey’s leader as he used the coup as an excuse to act against his political rivals, particularly the followers of Fetullah Gulen, the leader of an Islamic sect whom Erdogan despises. Gulen’s continued presence in the United States is a major reason Erdogan, a leader of a NATO nation, has been gradually pivoting towards the Russians, all the while pursuing an aggressive policy against both American and Russian interests in Syria. He has leveraged his immense political strength at home to project himself as a new Ottoman Emperor, the leader of the Islamic world in a matter of speaking, particularly in his battles with Mohammed bin-Salman, the young crown Prince of Saud

More:Erdogan's hubris

Istanbul mayoral front-runner retains lead during recount

Istanbul mayoral front-runner retains lead during recount

Ayla Jean Yackley
April 4, 2019

Article Summary

Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition candidate for mayor, says it’s impossible for his opponent to overtake him, but supporters of the ruling party’s Binali Yildirim say their man will win if the recount is expanded.

More:Istanbul mayoral front-runner retains lead during recount

Turkey needs a better PowerPoint | FT Alphaville

Turkey needs a better PowerPoint

By: Colby Smith

Just days before last weekend's all-important local elections, Turkish authorities took "extreme" measures to shore up the country's currency by squeezing short sellers. With the lira already having lost a third of its value against the dollar last year, and with annual inflation remaining stubbornly around 20 per cent, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his AKP party feared that any additional weakening could cost votes.

More:Turkey needs a better PowerPoint | FT Alphaville

Et tu Istanbul, then fall Erdogan: Why local election results spell hope for Turkey

Et tu Istanbul, then fall Erdogan: Why local election results spell hope for Turkey

As Turkey recounts the votes, President Erdogan and his Islamist party have been delivered a significant blow by citizens.

More:Et tu Istanbul, then fall Erdogan: Why local election results spell hope for Turkey

Erdogan’s Opponents Promise Scrutiny of Istanbul’s Books After Turkey Elections - The New York Times

Erdogan’s Opponents Promise Scrutiny of Istanbul’s Books After Turkey Elections

By Carlotta Gall

April 3, 2019

ISTANBUL — Even before the important election of Istanbul’s mayor has been settled, the opposition candidate, who claims to have won, is challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by pressing ahead with his promise to have an independent audit of the city’s books.

More:Erdogan’s Opponents Promise Scrutiny of Istanbul’s Books After Turkey Elections - The New York Times

Could İmamoğlu be Turkey’s next president? - BBC | Ahval

Could İmamoğlu be Turkey’s next president? - BBC

Ekrem İmamoğlu’s apparent victory in the race for Istanbul mayor has the potential to catapult him into contention for the presidency in Turkey’s next election in 2023, the BBC suggested in a report on Thursday.

More:Could İmamoğlu be Turkey’s next president? - BBC | Ahval

Local election defeat bodes more foreign woes for Erdogan

Local election defeat bodes more foreign woes for Erdogan

READ IN: Türkçe Kadri Gursel April 4, 2019

Article Summary

The irreparable setback Turkey’s president suffered in the March 31 municipal polls, coupled with the country’s economic crisis, leaves him in a weaker position vis-a-vis Washington, Moscow and the European Union.

More:Local election defeat bodes more foreign woes for Erdogan

“A Great Moment for Democracy”: Erdogan’s AK Party Suffers Major Defeat in Local Turkish Elections | Democracy Now!

“A Great Moment for Democracy”: Erdogan’s AK Party Suffers Major Defeat in Local Turkish Elections

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party suffered major setbacks in local elections this weekend after dominating the country’s political system since 2003. The AK Party lost control in both of Turkey’s largest cities, Istanbul and Ankara, and is now disputing the results. Voters expressed frustration with Erdogan’s autocratic rule and are also facing soaring inflation and rising unemployment. Now the results are being disputed, and recounts are underway. “Whoever is criticizing Erdogan right now is held accountable for either terrorism charges or libel against the president,” says The New School professor Koray Caliskan, faculty fellow at the Heilbroner Center for Capitalism Studies at The New School who has been indicted 25 times in Turkey. “This is how he’s silencing dissent.”

More:“A Great Moment for Democracy”: Erdogan’s AK Party Suffers Major Defeat in Local Turkish Elections | Democracy Now!

Turkish Lira Collapse To Weigh On Vehicle Production

Turkish Lira Collapse To Weigh On Vehicle Production

Fitch Solutions / Autos / Turkey / Wed 03 Apr, 2019

We believe that the Turkish currency crisis will continue to have an adverse effect on the country’s vehicle production in 2019, as manufacturers will find it more difficult and expensive to import components and vehicle assembly kits.
Increasing borrowing costs and an elevated inflation rate will impact demand for new vehicles domestically as the ability by consumers and businesses to use loans to purchase vehicles erodes, slowing rates of vehicle sales growth in key Turkish export markets and leading to added strain.
Emerging Europe and the MENA regions both offer increasing

More:Turkish Lira Collapse To Weigh On Vehicle Production

Erdoğan’s Four Challenges - Carnegie Europe - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Erdoğan’s Four Challenges

Marc Pierini

Turkey’s president suffered a frustrating setback in local government elections as democratic resilience prevailed. Watch out for the impact on the economy, the rule of law, defense, and Syria.

More:Erdoğan’s Four Challenges - Carnegie Europe - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Automotive in Turkey - Lexology

Automotive in Turkey

Turunç Turunç
Turkey April 4 2019

The automotive industry is one of the most significant drivers of Turkish industrial production. With 14 producers - most operating under licence or as joint ventures - over 70 research and development centres, three automotive design and engineering centres, and a production capacity of over two million vehicles per year, Turkey is the 14th largest producer of motor vehicles in the world and the fifth largest in Europe, having grown steadily over the past decade. In terms of actual production, Turkey produced 1,142,906 cars and 606,666 commercial vehicles in 2017 for a total of 1,749,572 vehicles, of which 1,346,075 were exported.

More:Automotive in Turkey - Lexology

Imamoglu’s battle to lead Istanbul energises Turkey’s opposition | Financial Times

Imamoglu’s battle to lead Istanbul energises Turkey’s opposition

Mayoral contender has shown that ruling elite can be challenged in country’s biggest city

More:Imamoglu’s battle to lead Istanbul energises Turkey’s opposition | Financial Times

Wednesday, April 03, 2019

Daylight in Turkey?

Daylight in Turkey?

By
Max Zirngast
Güney Işıkara
Alp Kayserilioğlu

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s party lost significant ground in Sunday's Turkish elections. That doesn’t mean the slide toward fascism is over — but there’s a bigger opening for democratic and socialist forces than there’s been in years.

More:Daylight in Turkey?

Big move to Istanbul Airport set to start Friday – Middle East Monitor

Big move to Istanbul Airport set to start Friday

The big switch from Ataturk Airport to the new mega-Istanbul Airport will start early Friday morning, Turkey’s transport and infrastructure minister said on Wednesday, Anadolu reports. Starting on April 5 at 3.00 a.m. local time (00:00GMT), the initial moving operation will take a total of 45 hours, Cahit Turhan told at a news conference in Istanbul.

More:Big move to Istanbul Airport set to start Friday – Middle East Monitor