Politics
Old, new CHP cross swords while saving face
Cracks in the intra-party democracy of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) are showing despite the fight between the dissidents and the current administration being skillfully kept hidden for a long time.
A new video by former Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu angered supporters of his successor, Özgür Özel, while finding support among loyalists of Kılıçdaroğlu, who still serves as a lawmaker in the party. In the video, Kılıçdaroğlu reiterated his call for the party to purge itself of those involved in the corruption and had a send-off for Özel, who earlier claimed Kılıçdaroğlu chose to “be a marble of the palace instead of becoming soil where flowers bloom.” He was referring to the Presidential Complex CHP seeks to deride.
CHP’s supporters accuse Kılıçdaroğlu and like-minded members of betraying the cause of the party to defeat the incumbent Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Kılıçdaroğlu was the last hope of the CHP to defeat Erdoğan in the 2023 elections but suffered a defeat despite support from other opposition parties. After the loss, his public image gradually eroded, and he became pariah-like. Özel dealt a second blow after defeating Kılıçdaroğlu in an intra-party election in November 2023, though former CHP members claim that the election was tainted by supporters of Özel, who “bought votes” for the new chair.
Özel always had kind words for Kılıçdaroğlu, and likewise, Kılıçdaroğlu abstained from outright criticism of his successor after handing over his post. Yet, dissent in the party against the Özel administration slowly climbed, particularly over Özel’s unwavering support for several mayors of the party accused of rampant corruption. Kılıçdaroğlu unleashed a thinly unveiled tirade against Özel. “This party is entrusted to us, and we cannot stain it. The party knows when to purge itself (of corruption),” Kılıçdaroğlu stated.
“Dirty politics destroys morals and eventually sets its sights on this nation’s money. We have to keep the politics clean. This responsibility belongs to members of the CHP. This is a great tree that did not bow down to anyone, a party that was closed down, went through the coups, but did not submit. The CHP does not stray from its path to govern, to instill hope in people. Some people expect me to remain silent. Hear me now: I don’t negotiate the interests of my nation and party for anything. I defy your defamation and threats. I stand for truth,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.
Kılıçdaroğlu’s remarks quickly made the rounds on social media, but Özel kept quiet for hours. On Thursday, his first reaction was made public in an interview with Gazete Pencere. The CHP chair was still careful not to hurt Kılıçdaroğlu’s feelings, but his sardonic comments about the former chair’s video will likely irritate the predecessor. “My comments about being a marble of the palace were not toward Mr. Kemal. I am surprised he was offended. I would expect him to oppose the nullification,” he said. He was referring to the possible verdict in a case regarding the vote-buying allegations that may render Özel’s administration invalid. Kılıçdaroğlu had earlier signalled that he was ready to be appointed as a trustee if the court ruled for the nullification of the Özel administration.
A few days before Kılıçdaroğlu’s video surfaced, a group of dissidents held an event in Istanbul hosted by Gürsel Tekin, a former Kılıçdaroğlu aide who was appointed by a court as trustee to the CHP’s Istanbul branch after the other chair was suspended from duty on suspicion of buying votes for his own election. Kılıçdaroğlu’s video was retweeted within hours by more than a dozen lawmakers who were nominated in the previous elections by Kılıçdaroğlu, while Ali Haydar Fırat, a former member of the CHP’s party assembly known for his pro-Kılıçdaroğlu views, issued a manifesto to “salvage the party” hours after the former chair’s remarks. “The CHP cannot be a shield for those enriching themselves by exploiting public resources,” Fırat said in his manifesto, referring to corruption allegations at CHP-run municipalities.
Kılıçdaroğlu still has little support compared to Özel within the party. Chairs of the CHP’s branches in 81 provinces issued a joint statement on Thursday and reaffirmed that they stood with Özel, “the will of the voters and laws of the party,” without referring to Kılıçdaroğlu’s remarks.
“Our walk to power cannot be reversed through political engineering,” they said in a statement, a reiteration of the CHP’s habit to accuse critics of the party of “working for the government,” a pattern most common among social media users.
Tuğrul Abanoz, chair of the party’s branch in the Akçakoca district of Düzce, was more direct in his reaction. Abanoz ordered the removal of a large photo of Kılıçdaroğlu adorning the walls of the party’s office, where pictures of the CHP’s former chairs, including Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, were on display. “If you return after absolute nullification, you can always find a new chairman here to hang your photo on this wall again,” Abanoz said in a news conference on Wednesday, directly addressing Kılıçdaroğlu.
Rwanda has become one of Türkiye’s key partners in East Africa and plays an important role in Ankara’s broader engagement with the continent, Türkiye’s ambassador to Kigali said Friday, highlighting growing cooperation in trade, defense, education and infrastructure.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Rwanda Aslan Alper Yüksel said bilateral relations have expanded rapidly in recent years and are built on mutual trust and shared interests.
“Rwanda is not only a valuable partner in bilateral relations but also in terms of Türkiye’s outreach to East Africa,” Yüksel said.
He pointed to Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s visit to Türkiye last year at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as a sign of the level reached in relations between the two countries.
Yüksel described Rwanda as one of Africa’s notable examples in governance, public administration, digital transformation, infrastructure development, environmental policy, women’s political participation, security and stability.
He said Rwanda’s performance in investment conditions and anti-corruption rankings also makes it an attractive destination for international partnerships.
“We see Rwanda as an important partner in East Africa because it prioritizes stability, focuses on reforms and is able to work in an integrated way with the international system,” he said.
According to Yüksel, economic cooperation remains a central pillar of the relationship, with Turkish private companies continuing to show interest in infrastructure and construction projects across Rwanda.
Defense industry cooperation has also emerged as one of the dynamic areas of engagement between the two countries, he added.
Yüksel said educational and cultural ties have strengthened as hundreds of Rwandan students pursue education in Türkiye either through Türkiye Scholarships or independently.
The ambassador also noted that some organizatons are providing Turkish-language education to a growing number of students at the University of Rwanda campus.
He added that Turkish Airlines’ daily flights contribute to the country’s international connectivity.
Yüksel said Türkiye’s broader Africa policy remains focused on peace, stability and development and supports Rwanda’s economic transformation.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s post-conflict recovery, he said the country had rebuilt itself after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi population, which claimed nearly 1 million lives.
The Rwandan genocide occurred between April 7 and July 15, 1994, during the Rwandan civil war. During this period of around 100 days, members of the Tutsi minority ethnic group, as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa, were killed by armed militias. The most widely accepted scholarly estimates are around 500,000 to 662,000 Tutsi deaths.
“Kigali’s emergence as a regional business, technology and innovation hub is no coincidence,” Yüksel said, noting that hosting the Africa CEO Forum for a third time reflects Rwanda’s growing regional role.
He added that Turkish investors could view Rwanda as a secure and favorable gateway to access the East African Community market and its hundreds of millions of consumers.
A total of 422 participants from the Global Sumud Flotilla, including 85 Turkish citizens, departed Israel on special flights coordinated by Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry after being detained by Israeli forces, diplomatic sources said Thursday.
Foreign Ministry sources said the evacuation operation was carried out under the coordination of the ministry and supervised by officials from Türkiye’s Embassy in Tel Aviv.
The activists, who had been held following Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, left Ramon Airport in southern Israel and were en route to Türkiye aboard chartered flights, the sources said.
The group included Turkish citizens as well as nationals from several third countries who had participated in the aid flotilla headed toward Gaza.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan earlier on Thursday said Ankara was working with all relevant agencies for the safety and return of citizens held by Israel after the illegal intervention on the flotilla. “We will continue safeguarding the rights of our citizens and fulfill our responsibility towards civilians in Gaza. We will continue our support to the people of Palestine resolutely,” he said.
The flights are scheduled to land at Istanbul Airport later in the evening.
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s 2026 Spring Mission, launched to challenge Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip and deliver humanitarian aid, was first intercepted by Israeli forces on April 29 near Crete, several nautical miles outside Greek territorial waters, according to organizers.
The Israeli military later carried out another interception on May 18 while the flotilla was sailing in international waters toward Gaza.
Organizers said 428 activists from 44 countries, including 78 Turkish nationals, were aboard the 50-vessel convoy.
On the other hand, several countries condemned Israel over allegations of mistreatment of activists detained during its interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, calling for accountability and respect for international law.
Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris criticized Israel’s treatment of the activists, saying actions against members of the flotilla, whom he described as having been “illegally detained,” were “disgusting and cannot go unpunished.”
Pakistan’s government also condemned what it described as Israel’s unlawful intervention against the flotilla and alleged verbal and physical abuse of activists.
“We strongly condemn the illegal intervention by Israeli occupation forces against the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and the arbitrary detention and mistreatment of activists on board,” a government statement said.
Poland, Latvia, Estonia and several other countries also voiced criticism over the incident.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Israel could not treat members of the Global Sumud Flotilla as it would Norway or Iceland, condemning what he described as “degrading treatment” of the activists.
Albares reiterated Spain’s expectation that Israel issue an immediate apology over the activists’ detention and alleged mistreatment in international waters.
A Turkish parliamentary commission investigating juvenile delinquency has prepared a comprehensive report proposing tougher penalties, stricter family accountability and expanded monitoring mechanisms aimed at preventing children from being drawn into crime, according to findings expected to be submitted to Parliament after the Eid al-Adha holiday.
The commission, established under the leadership of ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) lawmaker Müşerref Pervin Tuba Durgut, spent months conducting field studies, listening to experts and collecting institutional opinions as part of its work on children involved in criminal offenses.
The report by the Parliamentary Commission on Children Driven to Crime includes recommendations directed at multiple ministries, including the Justice Ministry, Interior Ministry, Family Ministry, Education Ministry, and Youth and Sports Ministry.
Among the most notable proposals are calls to reconsider sentence reductions applied to minors convicted of serious crimes and to strengthen deterrence measures in the juvenile justice system.
The report specifically references public debate surrounding high-profile murder cases involving minors, including those of Atlas Çağlayan and Ahmet Minguzzi, and argues that age-based sentence reductions for offenders between the ages of 15 and 18 should be revised in a more gradual manner.
It also recommends limiting sentence reductions for certain severe crimes or leaving such decisions to judicial discretion. The commission further called for a stricter execution system and for narrowing the scope of probation-style measures to reinforce deterrence.
Under current Turkish law, the maximum prison sentence for offenders under the age of 18 can reach 24 years, though reductions may significantly shorten the term served.
The report additionally recommended examining whether Türkiye’s age of criminal responsibility, currently set at 12, should be lowered to 10, similar to the system in the United Kingdom.
The commission also highlighted shortcomings in the implementation of protective and preventive measures imposed on children and their families.
It proposed the creation of sanction mechanisms for both minors and parents who fail to comply with court-ordered measures, while emphasizing that authorities should systematically monitor not only the implementation of such measures but also their outcomes.
The report called for specialized courts or units to oversee juvenile protection processes and urged stronger coordination and feedback systems among institutions.
Family involvement
A significant portion of the recommendations focused on family responsibility and early intervention.
The commission proposed mandatory mechanisms to ensure active family participation in rehabilitation processes, broader educational and awareness programs for parents and, in some cases, administrative or criminal sanctions aimed at increasing parental responsibility.
It also recommended stronger protection measures for children growing up in high-risk family environments.
Additional recommendations included introducing lessons on basic law, responsibility and social rules into school curricula, expanding education on bullying, social media influence and crime awareness, and establishing systems to identify school dropouts and at-risk children at an early stage.
The report further urged the creation of neighborhood-based social risk analyses, individualized monitoring systems for children deemed vulnerable to criminal involvement, and greater efforts to direct children toward social, sports and vocational activities.
Türkiye on Wednesday strongly condemned the verbal and physical abuse by an Israeli minister against activists detained after Israel’s unlawful interception of the Global Sumud flotilla in international waters.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the Israeli minister, one of the “main actors” behind Israel’s genocide in Gaza, had once again openly exposed the “violent and barbaric mentality” of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government before the world.
The ministry denounced Israel’s intervention against the flotilla and stressed that the aid convoy had been targeted unlawfully while sailing in international waters.
Türkiye also said diplomatic efforts were continuing in coordination with other countries to secure the immediate and safe release of detained Turkish citizens and other flotilla participants.
“All necessary initiatives are being undertaken together with the relevant countries for the immediate and safe release of our citizens and other flotilla participants,” the ministry said, adding that efforts were continuing “with determination” to achieve results as soon as possible.
The statement came after videos circulated showing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting detained activists following Israel’s interception of Gaza-bound aid vessels earlier this week.
European countries also condemned Ben-Gvir’s inhumane treatment of the activists.
Türkiye’s U.N. envoy on Wednesday stressed that protecting civilians in armed conflicts is a collective responsibility, calling for the consistent application of international humanitarian law and urgent attention to crises from Gaza to Sudan.
“Protection of civilians in armed conflict is a shared responsibility and must remain a top priority for the international community,” Türkiye’s permanent representative to the U.N., Ahmet Yıldız, said during an open session of the U.N. Security Council titled Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict.
Warning against double standards in the application of international law, Yıldız said, “Selective approaches to international law undermine the credibility of the international legal system and erode confidence in multilateral institutions.”
Referring to Cyprus, he said Turkish Cypriots between 1963 and 1964 “experienced a period marked by political exclusion, violence, displacement and isolation,” adding that atrocities against Turkish Cypriot civilians were “well documented in U.N. archives.”
Turning to the Middle East, Yıldız said humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip “remain dire” despite the cease-fire and called for progress toward a two-state solution.
Despite the October cease-fire, some 850 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since, according to Gaza health authorities.
More than 72,500 Palestinians have been killed since the Gaza war began in October 2023, most of them civilians, Gaza health authorities say.
Moreover, the Global Sumud Flotilla recently set sail from France, Spain and Italy to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.
Dozens of activists aboard the flotilla were attacked by the Israeli navy in international waters off the coast of Greece on April 30.
The flotilla’s first voyage last year was also intercepted by Israeli forces off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza.
On Lebanon, he stressed “the importance of preserving Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability,” describing the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as “an important step that should be built upon.”
Israel has since invaded southern Lebanon and bombarded its capital, Beirut, and other areas, saying it is targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Monday that the toll is now 3,020 killed in the Israeli strikes, including 292 women and 211 children.
Regarding Syria, Yıldız said the Syrian people “now have a historic opportunity to build a future based on safety, dignity and equal citizenship,” while welcoming accountability efforts for crimes committed under the former regime.
Addressing Africa, he said Sudan’s humanitarian crisis “remains catastrophic and requires urgent international attention,” while reaffirming support for a Libyan-led political dialogue.
“Türkiye strongly supports international efforts aimed at ensuring accountability and deterring violations of international humanitarian law,” he said.
Türkiye on Wednesday called for stronger global cooperation and faster implementation of climate commitments as Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum outlined Ankara’s priorities for the upcoming COP31 climate summit during high-level talks in Copenhagen.
Speaking at the Copenhagen Climate Ministers Meeting, Kurum said the world must move beyond negotiating new frameworks and instead focus on translating existing climate targets into tangible national policies and investments.
“Today, the fundamental need is not to create new frameworks; it is to rapidly implement existing targets and produce concrete results,” Kurum said while chairing the “Building Resilience and Accelerating Adaptation” session. “That’s why we call it the ‘Implementation COP.’”
Türkiye is set to host the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP31, in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya in November under a joint framework with Australia. The summit is expected to focus heavily on climate adaptation, financing and implementation of commitments made under the Paris Agreement.
Kurum said climate change was no longer a distant threat but a reality directly affecting economies, infrastructure, food systems and daily life worldwide. He pointed to rising droughts, floods, wildfires and water shortages as evidence of mounting climate pressures, particularly in developing countries and vulnerable communities.
“Adaptation to climate change now centers not only on climate policies but also on development policies, economic planning and societal resilience,” he said.
The minister emphasized that adaptation investments also create economic opportunities by reducing losses, improving investment security and generating employment.
Recent international efforts, including the adaptation indicators agreed during COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and growing calls to expand climate financing, show that global momentum is shifting toward implementation, he added.
Kurum also highlighted initiatives such as the National Adaptation Plans Implementation Alliance as important mechanisms for delivering practical outcomes.
COP30 outcomes are expected to shape much of the Antalya agenda, especially discussions on climate finance, adaptation and the implementation of national climate plans.
Kurum identified three key priorities for COP31: implementing adaptation targets more effectively, increasing adaptation financing and strengthening coordination among governments, international institutions and private stakeholders.
“We must all work together to increase awareness,” he said. “As this awareness increases, governments and countries will not be able to remain indifferent to this demand.”
The Copenhagen meetings also focused on the “Global Implementation Accelerator” and the “1.5 Degree Belém Mission,” initiatives launched after COP30 to help countries translate emissions reduction and adaptation goals into practical national strategies.
Speaking during a separate COP Chairs briefing alongside COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago, Azerbaijan climate representative Mukhtar Babayev and Australian Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, Kurum said the initiatives aimed to connect international targets with real-world implementation.
“The success of the Paris Agreement depends both on the decisions taken in negotiations and on our determination to translate them into national policies,” he said.
He described the Belém 1.5 Degree Mission as “a transparent and participatory meeting point where we can all contribute” toward strengthening national climate action plans and adaptation strategies.
Türkiye has increasingly positioned itself as a central actor in global climate diplomacy ahead of COP31, promoting themes such as resilience, sustainable urban transformation and practical implementation. Earlier this month, officials gathered in Hatay for a regional forum on resilient cities as part of the “Road to COP31” process.
The Copenhagen talks also came as the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution Wednesday backing a landmark International Court of Justice opinion affirming that states have legal obligations to combat climate change.
-
Politics3 days agoPoland hails Türkiye as strategic partner amid deepening ties
-
Daily Agenda2 days agoDigital shield will be activated within 6 months
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoGreat success from Turkish youth at the international science Olympics! They returned with 4 gold, 8 silver and 1 bronze medals
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoTürkiye’s reaction to Greece’s “unfounded Pontus allegations”: It is trying to cover up the brutal crimes it committed
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoMinister Gürlek: Our judicial mechanisms are being operated determinedly and uninterruptedly against FETO accounts.
-
Daily Agenda2 days agoThe whole world will meet at the Turkish table
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoMay 19 message from MSB: We will work harder, we will achieve greater things…
-
Economy3 days agoStandard Chartered to axe thousands of jobs due to AI adoption