Politics
Turkish VP calls EU for ‘progress’ after scathing report
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz criticized the European Union at an event in Ankara where projects jointly financed by the bloc and Türkiye were touted, in the wake of a report calling for sanctions for Türkiye’s justice minister, which was voted on by the European Parliament on Wednesday.
Unlike the tone of the report, the remarks of Yılmaz were kinder but not without pointed barbs. He highlighted Europe had two faces. “One is a European Union guaranteeing lasting peace and the second is a bloc where narrow-minded interests are prioritized, cultural isolationism, xenophobia and far-right are on the rise. The second one is not the Europe we want to be a member of,” Yılmaz said.
Türkiye has sought accession to the 27-nation bloc for decades, only to see its bid stalled time after time for a wide variety of reasons. For every stage of progress in the membership process, Ankara faced a major obstacle, often the result of antagonism by some members of the bloc towards Türkiye.
The European Parliament report suggested sanctions against Türkiye, particularly Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, former chief prosecutor of Istanbul who tackled major corruption cases against the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) before he was appointed as minister in February. The report adopts the exact narrative of the CHP, which claims the cases are politically motivated. Since the widespread corruption allegations emerged in 2024 and later at the municipalities, particularly the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), the CHP has sought support from Europe, with its former leader Özgür Özel contacting EU lawmakers and penning articles implying a request for assistance to support the CHP in future elections.
After the report was approved, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement and accused the assembly of relying on misinformation, ideological bias and unfounded allegations while attempting to undermine the improving momentum in Türkiye-European Union relations.
Yılmaz said Türkiye-European Union relations should be developed on the basis of the EU acquis and unbiased assessment, “rather than perception, debate, populist discourse.”
“The European Union should apply the same criteria for other candidate countries. However, due to narrow-minded viewpoints of some countries, membership chapters have not been opened for years. The reports on the accession process contain criticism, but what the EU should do is clear. They should advance in membership stages and check whether Türkiye complied with the criteria. If there are differences, they can be resolved through joint work,” he said.
“Unfortunately, from time to time, we witness an environment where the political atmosphere in Europe will not allow advances in the membership process no matter how much Türkiye fulfills criteria. We should end this together,” he added. Yılmaz noted that since 2002, Türkiye has worked on more than 3,000 regulations for compliance with EU rules and regardless of membership, it would continue to do so for the benefit “of our own nation.”
Türkiye’s National Security Council (MGK) on Thursday called for the international community to take a firm and uncompromising stance against Israel over continued cease-fire violations in Gaza, escalating settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territories and provocative attacks on holy sites, including Al-Aqsa Mosque.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the council said the international community must respond decisively to Israel’s continued cease-fire violations despite recent progress under the Gaza Peace Plan.
The council also condemned escalating settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territories and continued provocative attacks targeting holy sites, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing that a clear and uncompromising international response is needed.
The meeting also reviewed progress toward Türkiye’s “Terror-Free Türkiye” and “Terror-Free Region” goals, with members discussing the next phase of efforts aimed at strengthening national security, regional stability and long-term prosperity.
The council received briefings on ongoing counterterrorism operations against the PKK/KCK-PYD/YPG, the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) and Daesh terrorist groups, saying operations at home and abroad continue with determination.
Marking the 10th anniversary of the July 15, 2016, defeated coup attempt, the council assessed the latest stage of the fight against FETÖ and reaffirmed that efforts to dismantle the group’s remaining network would continue.
The MGK also highlighted Türkiye’s successful hosting of the NATO Summit, describing it as a critical milestone for the alliance while reaffirming Ankara’s commitment to sharing its advanced defense capabilities with allies.
On regional issues, the council warned that renewed clashes between Iran and the United States pose risks to neighboring countries and global trade routes, urging all sides to refrain from the use of force and return to negotiations aimed at securing lasting peace.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, the council said expanding the conflict into neighboring regions, particularly the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, would not resolve the strategic deadlock and called on both sides to reduce tensions and take concrete steps toward peace.
The statement also underscored the importance of deepening multidimensional cooperation with Syria and Iraq, saying stronger regional coordination remains essential for security, stability and prosperity.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will travel to Saudi Arabia on Friday for a one-day working visit, where he is expected to hold talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said Thursday.
During the visit, Erdoğan is also expected to meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
A source close to the Saudi government told AFP that the three will hold a summit on Friday in Jeddah.
No further details were immediately released on the agenda of the meetings.
On Monday, Erdoğan told the Saudi Crown Prince that Israel must fully comply with the roadmap for the second phase of the Gaza Peace Plan for it to succeed, as the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional developments in a phone call.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was received by Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Wednesday during his visit to Amman, where he attended a ministerial meeting on Jerusalem focused on ongoing Israeli violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque and in Palestine.
Fidan met with the Jordanian monarch in the capital Amman, the Foreign Ministry said.
No further information on the meeting was as yet provided.
During the meeting, Fidan said nearly 20 Islamic countries discussed “collective measures” against Israel’s recent violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing that regional crises should not distract international attention from developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.
On the sidelines of the broader meeting, Fidan also attended the fifth ministerial gathering of what he called the “Group of Four” – Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan.
Fidan said the participants focused exclusively on recent Israeli actions targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque, as he reiterated Türkiye’s determined stance regarding Palestine. He noted that regional crises, including the Gulf conflict, have not diverted Ankara’s focus from Gaza, Jerusalem and the broader Palestinian cause.
Delivering bribes in chocolate boxes appears to be a common tactic at municipalities run by the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). An investigation into Ankara’s Etimesgut Municipality, whose mayor and top officials were recently arrested on corruption charges, revealed that the same method was allegedly used there.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that Etimesgut Deputy Mayor Mutlu Kerimoğlu received a chocolate box containing $1.2 million (TL 57.11 million) from a construction company in exchange for awarding the rights to a vacant municipally owned lot for development. A contractor questioned in a corruption probe centered on Istanbul’s Üsküdar Municipality had earlier confessed to delivering about $300,000 to a municipal employee inside a chocolate box in exchange for securing a building permit. Similarly, the deputy mayor of Antalya’s Manavgat Municipality was arrested last year after he was caught on camera allegedly receiving a baklava box filled with cash as a bribe.
The investigation into alleged corruption at Etimesgut municipality also exposed additional methods allegedly used by suspects to cover up their activities and intimidate people seeking to do business with the municipality into paying bribes upfront.
Hüdaver Alkaya, a contractor who cooperated with investigators, admitted to bribing Ozan Yiğit, a member of the Etimesgut Municipal Assembly, to secure a permit for a housing development. Alkaya told investigators that he visited Yiğit at his office in the municipality, where they met in a separate private room accessible only through a concealed entrance. There, he said, he handed Yiğit TL 1 million in bribe money. About a week later, he received the permit he had long sought.
The allegations in the Etimesgut corruption case also describe how a contractor allegedly agreed to pay TL 250 million in exchange for building permits after meeting with senior municipal officials. An audio recording included in the investigation allegedly captured a contractor being urged to “donate” money to the municipality in exchange for permits, while another contractor was allegedly told to “donate” computers and televisions to the municipality in return for obtaining permits.
Tuncay Karadeniz, a businessperson seeking to lease a municipally owned parking lot, told investigators that he contacted Ozan Yiğit and paid him $8,000. He claimed that Mayor Erdal Beşikçioğlu then entered the room where he was meeting with Yiğit, asked how much he had paid, and instructed him to pay TL 1.5 million for the lease.
Uğur Şanalan, an event organizer, told investigators that municipal officials demanded exorbitant fees for the use of a public venue for a concert. When he was unable to pay, he said, the municipality dispatched excavators and trucks to the venue to block the event, ultimately forcing him to cancel the concert.
Officials from Türkiye’s Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and Syria’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday to advance educational cooperation between the two countries. The memorandum paves the way for the establishment of the Syria-Türkiye University in Damascus, as well as a separate cooperation agreement covering higher education and scientific research.
According to a statement from YÖK, delegations led by YÖK President Erol Özvar and Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Marwan al-Halabi met before the signing ceremony.
Speaking at the meeting, Özvar said Türkiye and Syria are two friendly and brotherly countries bound by a shared history, culture and civilization, adding that he was pleased to see the renewed momentum in bilateral relations reflected in stronger cooperation in higher education.
He emphasized that strong and sustainable partnerships between universities would make significant contributions not only to academia but also to the future of both countries, regional stability and the strengthening of fraternal ties between their peoples. Özvar said he believed the meeting would place cooperation in higher education on a more institutional and lasting footing.
Noting that Türkiye would continue providing every possible form of support to strengthen Syria’s educational infrastructure, Özvar said Turkish universities were ready to cooperate with Syrian universities in every field.
He added that the two sides could work together to establish joint undergraduate and graduate programs and said YÖK was also prepared to provide support in technical infrastructure, digitalization and knowledge sharing.
For his part, al-Halabi thanked Türkiye for its support in strengthening Syria’s educational infrastructure and for the growing cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting also addressed the establishment of joint working groups between YÖK and Syria’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in specific fields.
The memorandum of understanding signed by the two sides underscores their shared determination to strengthen cooperation in higher education, scientific research, innovation and academic exchange, building on the historical, cultural and fraternal ties between Türkiye and Syria.
Under the memorandum, the two parties will continue work on the legal framework, governance structure, academic organization, student admission procedures, quality assurance mechanisms and administrative regulations for the planned Syria-Türkiye University in Damascus.
Draft legal and institutional documents for the establishment of the university will be prepared and submitted to the relevant authorities.
The university’s establishment will depend on subsequent agreements between the parties and the completion of the necessary legal procedures in both countries.
The separate cooperation agreement on higher education and scientific research aims to strengthen coordination among the universities, educational institutions and research organizations of the two countries while expanding cooperation in higher education, scientific research and technology.
The agreement provides for the allocation of reciprocal scholarships and student quotas, the mutual recognition of academic degrees and diplomas, the facilitation of transfer opportunities for Syrian students, the development of advanced technology-oriented educational programs, support for the digital infrastructure of Syrian universities, the promotion of academic and student exchanges, the implementation of joint scientific research projects, the launch of joint bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, and cooperation in quality assurance and accreditation.
The agreement also envisions organizing an annual Türkiye-Syria Universities Forum, to be hosted alternately by the two countries, considering the establishment of a “Sister (Twin) University Program” between Turkish and Syrian universities, and continuing joint efforts toward establishing the planned Syria-Türkiye University in Damascus.
Türkiye has been a representative democracy since its first multi-party elections in 1950. Since 2018, following a referendum that abolished the former parliamentary system, the country has been governed by a president with executive powers. Under the previous system, the presidency was largely ceremonial, while an elected prime minister headed the government.
The President of the Republic of Türkiye, as the office is officially called, is elected directly by popular vote and may normally serve a maximum of two five-year terms. However, if the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye decides to renew elections by a three-fifths majority of its total membership during the president’s second term, the incumbent president may seek office for one additional term. Political parties that received at least 5% of the valid votes in the most recent legislative election are eligible to nominate a presidential candidate. The president does not have to be a member of a political party, and 100,000 signatures from eligible citizens are required to nominate an independent presidential candidate.
The president oversees a cabinet that he or she appoints and has the authority to dismiss cabinet members. The presidential cabinet currently consists of 18 ministerial posts. These include the vice president and the ministers of Justice; Family and Social Services; Labor and Social Security; Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change; Foreign Affairs; Energy and Natural Resources; Youth and Sports; Treasury and Finance; Interior; Culture and Tourism; National Education; National Defense; Health; Industry and Technology; Agriculture and Forestry; Trade; and Transport and Infrastructure.
The president is also authorized to appoint senior bureaucrats and issue presidential decrees regulating such appointments. Ministers are appointed by the president and may be selected from either within or outside parliament.
The president is responsible for implementing the Constitution, promulgating laws passed by parliament, and returning legislation to parliament for reconsideration when necessary. He or she is also authorized to submit constitutional amendments to a public referendum. As commander-in-chief, the president may authorize military operations and issue presidential decrees on matters relating to executive authority, subject to the limitations set out in the Constitution. Presidential decrees cannot regulate matters reserved exclusively for legislation, cannot override laws enacted by parliament, and are subject to review by the Constitutional Court.
Legislative Branch
Türkiye’s parliament is officially known as the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM, its Turkish acronym). It consists of 600 members elected from constituencies across the country’s 81 provinces.
Parliament’s primary function is to enact laws. It has the authority to debate, approve, amend, or reject bills introduced by members of parliament. Political parties represented in parliament may sponsor legislation through their lawmakers, but bills are formally submitted by individual members of parliament.
Parliament also has the power to amend the Constitution. Constitutional amendments may be proposed by at least one-third of the total number of lawmakers (200 members). Amendments approved by at least 360 votes but fewer than 400 votes must be submitted to a referendum, while amendments approved by 400 or more votes may enter into force upon presidential approval, unless the president decides to submit them to a referendum.
If the president returns a bill to parliament for reconsideration, parliament may enact it again by an absolute majority of the total membership (301 votes), after which the president must promulgate the law.
The unicameral parliament is also responsible for approving the state budget, ratifying international treaties, authorizing declarations of war in circumstances prescribed by the Constitution, and overseeing the executive through parliamentary inquiries, general debates, parliamentary investigations, and written questions. Like the president, lawmakers serve five-year terms.
Judiciary Branch
Under the principle of separation of powers, an independent judiciary constitutes one of the three branches of government.
The Constitutional Court is the highest constitutional authority and is primarily responsible for constitutional review. It has the authority to rule on the constitutionality of laws, presidential decrees, and parliamentary rules of procedure and may invalidate provisions that violate the Constitution. It also decides on matters relating to parliamentary immunity and hears cases seeking the dissolution of political parties. The court may order the closure of a political party if it determines that the party has acted in violation of constitutional principles.
The Constitutional Court consists of 15 members. Parliament elects two members from candidates nominated by the Court of Accounts (Sayıştay) and one member from candidates nominated by provincial bar associations. The president appoints the remaining 12 members from candidates nominated by the Court of Cassation (Yargıtay), the Council of State (Danıştay), the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), and from among senior judges, prosecutors, attorneys, bureaucrats, and Constitutional Court rapporteur judges.
The Court of Cassation serves as the highest court of appeal for civil and criminal cases, while the Council of State is the highest administrative court. Together with lower courts throughout the country, these institutions form the backbone of Türkiye’s judicial system.
Local Administrations
At the local level, governance consists of two distinct structures: appointed governors and elected local administrations.
The governor, or vali, is the highest state authority in a province and is appointed by the Ministry of Interior with the approval of the president. Governors are responsible for implementing government policies at the provincial level, coordinating the provincial branches of central government ministries, and maintaining public order through the supervision of law enforcement agencies.
The district governor, or kaymakam, exercises similar authority at the district (ilçe) level. Provincial and district administrations receive funding from the state budget and coordinate the delivery of public services, including education, healthcare, security, and social assistance, through local branches of central government institutions.
Mayors and members of municipal councils are elected for five-year terms in local elections held every five years. In Türkiye’s 30 metropolitan provinces, this elected authority is divided between a metropolitan mayor handling city-wide infrastructure and district mayors, who are in charge of local services. Candidates may run as independents or be nominated by political parties. Any Turkish citizen aged 18 or older may be nominated, provided he or she meets the eligibility requirements established by electoral laws.
The office of mayor is political in nature and enjoys a degree of administrative autonomy guaranteed by the Constitution. Municipalities maintain their own budgets, which are funded primarily through local revenues such as property taxes, fees, and other municipal income sources. In addition, municipalities receive allocations from the central government budget.
Municipalities are responsible for a wide range of public services, including water supply and sewage systems, road construction and maintenance, waste collection, infrastructure development, urban planning, environmental services, public transportation, parks and recreational facilities, and the inspection of businesses. These inspections are carried out by the zabıta, or municipal police, a local inspection and enforcement service responsible for enforcing municipal regulations and authorized to impose penalties and close businesses that fail to comply with municipal rules.
In addition to municipalities, Türkiye also has provincial special administrations in provinces that are not designated as metropolitan municipalities and village administrations headed by elected muhtars, who serve as the lowest tier of local government and act as intermediaries between residents and state institutions.
-
Economy3 days agoSyria to restore Iraq oil pipeline damaged during US invasion
-
Economy2 days ago$3B bet: Mubadala-backed firm works on jet fuel from tropical fruit
-
Politics3 days agoErdoğan urges Israel to honor Gaza peace plan in talks with Saudi leader
-
Economy2 days agoTürkiye eyes new corridor to carry oil, gas from Iraq, Gulf to Europe
-
Politics2 days agoShip attacks prompt Türkiye to renew call for Black Sea safety
-
Politics3 days agoFM Fidan holds talks with Libyan officials in Ankara
-
Economy3 days agoAI gives lifeline to developing nations in weak growth era: World Bank
-
Politics2 days agoTürkiye appoints first female general in Air Force history