Politics
Erdoğan lambasts ‘fascist’ CHP over attack on minister
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday criticized the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), whose lawmakers tried to derail the oath-taking ceremony of the newly appointed justice minister on Wednesday.
He said the CHP continues to cling to its past fascism and resort to banditry, referring to lawmakers engaging in fisticuffs.
Akın Gürlek, who succeeded Yılmaz Tunç as justice minister, arrived at Parliament on Wednesday to be formally sworn in, but CHP lawmakers suddenly leapt to the pulpit where he would recite the oath, effectively stopping him. Lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) rushed to Gürlek’s side, and a brawl erupted between Mahmut Tanal of the CHP and Osman Gökçek of the AK Party. Other lawmakers traded blows, too, while AK Party deputies surrounded Gürlek, shielding him from CHP members hurling objects at him.
Gökçek later told reporters that Tanal had approached to assault Gürlek, and he intervened to stop him. The CHP earlier claimed that they were simply opposed to Gürlek being sworn in as justice minister from his previous post as chief prosecutor of Istanbul. The party also admitted that their opposition had more to do with the assignment of Gürlek, who was behind several corruption investigations against CHP-run municipalities.
Addressing a meeting of provincial chairs of his AK Party in Ankara, Erdoğan said they witnessed “the fascist, arrogant politics of the CHP once again” on Wednesday. “They demonstrated all kinds of banditry to stop our ministers from taking the oaths,” he said, referring to Gürlek as well as newly appointed Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi. “They occupied the pulpit of the nation.”
“But you cannot stop what will happen, Mr. Özgür,” Erdoğan said in reference to CHP Chair Özgür Özel, to the applause of AK Party members. “You cannot stop us. The ministers exercised their constitutional right and took oaths. What’s done is done. Why were you so disturbed?” Erdoğan said.
“But it is difficult for them to give up their fascist mindset. Parliament is not a place where you can start fights whenever convenient. I wonder whether they are at Parliament to defend the rights of people or terrorize people,” he said.
Erdoğan said the CHP’s politics were “ugly” as evidenced by the latest incident. “You should not humiliate yourself more. I condemn this attack that undermines people’s trust in politics and harms the dignity of Parliament,” he told the audience on Thursday, which included Gürlek and Çiftçi. Both ministers greeted AK Party members at the meeting and thanked Erdoğan for their appointment.
Gürlek has been targeted by several prominent members of the CHP, including Özel. Istanbul’s former mayor, Ekrem Imamoğlu, who was arrested for corruption last March, was also being tried for publicly threatening Gürlek and his family after the latter was investigated by Gürlek’s office.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli also had scathing remarks against the CHP over the scuffle at Parliament. In a written statement, the head of the government ally said the CHP would not be excused for its anti-democratic and fascist actions.
“This intolerant attitude has nothing to do with democracy and politics. The CHP’s depressing political attitude targets the Turkish state and its administration, and they are obviously hostile to the national will. We fully support our new ministers,” he said.
Parliament has approved a comprehensive amendment to the Highway Traffic Law, significantly increasing penalties for dangerous driving, in a move officials say is aimed at cutting road deaths by half.
The legislation, which enters into force upon publication in the Official Gazette, introduces tougher fines, longer license suspensions and, in some cases, prison sentences for serious violations.
Former Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who oversaw the preparation of the draft, said the goal is to reduce the annual number of traffic fatalities, currently around 6,000, to below 3,000. He noted that despite a sharp rise in inspections last year, authorities were only able to prevent 197 deaths.
In 2024, Türkiye recorded 385,000 injury-related traffic accidents, and inspections in residential areas will be further increased, Yerlikaya said.
Penalties for speeding, red lights
Under the new rules, drivers exceeding urban speed limits face immediate license suspensions of at least one month. In residential zones, those driving 46-55 kph (29-34 mph) over the limit will lose their licenses for 30 days, 56-65 kph over for 60 days, and 66 kph or more over for 90 days.
In school and hospital zones, where the speed limit is 30 kph, drivers clocked at 76 kph will face a 30-day suspension; at 86 kph, 60 days; and at 96 kph or more, 90 days.
Running a red light six times in one year will result in permanent revocation of a driver’s license. Drivers who cause accidents by running red lights will face a 60-day suspension and must undergo a psychotechnical evaluation before regaining their licenses.
Leaving the scene of a traffic accident involving injury or death without police permission will carry a prison sentence of one to three years.
Heavy fines, vehicle impoundments
The law imposes a TL 140,000 (approximately $4,375) fine on drivers who alter license plates to make them unreadable, along with a 30-day vehicle impoundment. Failing to yield to vehicles with the right of way carries a TL 15,000 fine.
Drivers who do not give way to ambulances, fire trucks or rescue vehicles face a TL 46,000 fine and a 30-day license suspension. Using a mobile phone while driving carries a TL 5,000 fine, rising to TL 10,000 for repeat offenses; a third violation will result in a one-month suspension.
Manufacturing, importing or possessing devices that detect speed enforcement systems is also banned. Producers face fines of TL 370,000, while vehicle owners found with such devices face TL 185,000 penalties.
Aggressive driving, including persistently tailgating or exiting a vehicle to confront another driver, will be punished with fines of up to TL 180,000, a 60-day license revocation and possible vehicle impoundment. In certain cases, reinstatement will require a psychotechnical report.
Drivers who organize races face a TL 46,000 fine and a two-year license revocation.
Focus on motorcycles
The legislation also addresses risks posed by motorcycles, which authorities say are involved in two out of every three at-fault accidents. Türkiye’s motorcycle fleet is expected to exceed 7 million this year, accounting for one in five vehicles on the road.
Officials said the sweeping reforms reflect a determination to protect public safety and strengthen enforcement against behavior that endangers lives on the country’s roads.
National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalın met with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli, the Libyan government said in a statement on Thursday.
The meeting addressed issues of mutual interest, as well as recent local and regional developments.
The two sides emphasized the importance of strengthening coordinated international efforts to support Libya’s political process, it said.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to continued consultation and coordination to promote stability in the region.
In August, Kalın held a rare meeting with putschist Gen. Khalifa Haftar in Libya’s Benghazi.
Libya has been divided since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011, with rival administrations in the east and west vying for power. Türkiye remains a key supporter of the Tripoli-based government while simultaneously expanding contacts with eastern authorities.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al Sudani on Thursday, discussing bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments, according to a statement made by the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications.
The two leaders reviewed steps to further enhance cooperation between Türkiye and Iraq, with a particular focus on trade and broader economic engagement.
Erdoğan underscored that Ankara would continue taking concrete steps to deepen ties across multiple sectors, stressing that stronger cooperation serves the mutual interests of both neighboring countries.
The president also emphasized the importance of intensifying collaboration in the fight against terrorism, noting that closer coordination would benefit both Türkiye and Iraq and contribute to regional stability.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining dialogue and strengthening the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
Germany is hosting NATO’s largest exercise of the year, Steadfast Dart 26, with Türkiye emerging as the biggest contributor among participating allies.
The drills, which began in January and will run through March, bring together approximately 10,000 troops from 10 European countries. Türkiye deployed around 2,000 personnel, traveling some 6,450 kilometers (4,010 miles) to take part in the exercise.
Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, commander of NATO’s Joint Force Command in the Netherlands and director of the exercise, praised the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) for what he described as the most significant contribution to this year’s maneuvers.
“Türkiye’s contribution cannot be emphasized enough,” Gerhartz told BBC Türkçe, highlighting the deployment of the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu, which docked at the German port of Emden with its accompanying task force and ground units. He added that the Turkish military made “by far the largest contribution” to Steadfast Dart 26.
Gerhartz also underscored the broader meaning of the drill, saying, “The fact that these countries are sending troops to Central Europe is a strong indication of unity within the alliance and that every inch of NATO territory will be defended if necessary.” He described the exercise as a clear demonstration that allied forces are ready to move rapidly and operate together across land, sea and air domains.
As part of its NATO commitments, Türkiye assumed command of the Amphibious Task Force and the Landing Force Command within the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) on July 1, 2025. In addition to TCG Anadolu, Türkiye sent the logistics support ship TCG Derya and the frigates TCG Istanbul and TCG Oruçreis to participate in the naval components of the drill.
Elements of the 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade also joined the exercise, with images of Turkish soldiers posing alongside Turkish-flagged armored vehicles in Germany widely shared.
Steadfast Dart 26 focuses on the rapid deployment capabilities of the ARF, a multinational force established in 2024 to enhance deterrence and ensure swift reinforcement of NATO territory in times of crisis.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Ankara on Thursday, as the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and a range of regional security issues, underscoring deepening cooperation between the Balkan neighbors.
Talks between Erdoğan and Vucic focused on strengthening friendly relations, as well as steps to support regional peace and stability. According to Turkish officials, discussions covered developments in the Balkans, the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in Gaza and recent developments in Iran.
Ankara has emphasized the importance of enhancing regional solidarity and cooperation in the face of shared challenges, highlighting diplomacy and dialogue as central tools for stability.
The leaders also reviewed efforts to expand cooperation in areas including the defense industry, which has become an increasingly prominent component of bilateral ties. Officials said both sides assessed the outcomes of joint initiatives aimed at broadening collaboration across strategic sectors.
Moreover, economic relations have shown significant growth. Trade volume between Türkiye and Serbia rose by 35% in 2024 compared with the previous year, reaching $3 billion.
The two presidents have set a target of increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion.
Turkish direct investments in Serbia have also expanded sharply, rising from $1 million 12 years ago to $405 million. Turkish companies operating in Serbia employ approximately 10,000 people, according to official data.
During Erdoğan’s visit to Serbia on Oct. 11, 2024, the fourth meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council was held under the co-chairmanship of the two presidents, reflecting the institutionalization of bilateral ties.
Vucic has previously expressed a desire to build the strongest possible relations with Türkiye, describing current ties as a “golden age” in relations between the two countries.
Thursday’s summit was seen by officials as a significant step in reinforcing diplomatic and economic bonds, as well as contributing to broader regional stability at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
Serbia is regarded as one of Türkiye’s key partners in the Balkans, and relations between the two countries have expanded in recent years through frequent high-level contacts and growing economic engagement.
Türkiye and Nigeria share a common vision on counterterrorism and other key issues across Africa, Turkish Ambassador to Abuja Mehmet Poroy said during an interview on Thursday.
“Nigeria is critically important to any country pursuing an Africa-focused policy,” Poroy said while speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), citing its role as West Africa’s “leading” country, the largest economy in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the fourth-largest on the continent, with a population surpassing 230 million.
According to Poroy, Abuja holds particular importance for Ankara as both nations confront similar security threats. Nigeria continues to battle terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, mirroring Türkiye’s long-standing fight against various terrorist organizations.
Ankara remains committed to supporting Nigeria by sharing expertise, resources and capabilities, the ambassador said, highlighting ongoing cooperation against the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) as a key pillar of the partnership.
“Nigeria’s stability is vital not only to West Africa but to the entire continent,” he stressed.
Describing the relationship in strategic terms, Poroy said Türkiye and Nigeria are “two countries that play strong, game-changing roles in their respective regions.”
Talks during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first-ever visit to Türkiye focused on enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, particularly security and counterterrorism, “areas where Nigeria is most in need of cooperation at the moment,” he said.
Tinubu’s Jan. 27 visit, which followed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s trip to Nigeria in October 2021, underscored both governments’ “strong will” to advance ties. Nine agreements were signed, spanning security, education, and trade, with an emphasis on swift implementation for mutual benefit.
“We can say that we have entered a new phase in military cooperation, with closer coordination expected,” Poroy said, noting Ankara’s readiness to bolster Nigeria’s counterterrorism capacity.
Emphasizing Ankara’s “win-win” approach in Africa, he said it prioritizes respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty while opposing external interventions, a stance closely aligned with Nigeria’s commitment to “African solutions to African problems.”
Both governments recently took a joint position against Israel’s recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, issuing statements in support of Mogadishu, including within the framework of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), he added.
“Türkiye’s stabilization efforts in Somalia are also highly valued by Nigeria, and that support carries particular weight given Nigeria’s standing as one of the continent’s leading nations,” Poroy said.
Support for Abuja’s leadership within ECOWAS, particularly in promoting democracy and regional peace, remains firm, he added, voicing backing for intensified dialogue and cooperation across West Africa.
During Erdoğan’s 2021 visit to Nigeria, three memorandums of understanding were signed in energy, mining and hydrocarbons, establishing a legal framework for cooperation. Working groups have since convened to develop models expected to translate into concrete projects.
Rich in solid minerals, Nigeria aims not only to extract resources but also to process them domestically, the ambassador said.
“Türkiye can share its capabilities in this area with Nigeria, and we expect concrete steps to be taken soon,” he added.
Significant potential also exists in electricity production and distribution. Turkish companies already operating in Nigeria are expanding their footprint, while interest in the country’s oil and natural gas sectors continues to grow amid efforts to deepen engagement.
A key outcome of Tinubu’s visit was the signing of a joint statement establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee (JETCO), designed to remove trade and investment barriers, Poroy said.
Growing Turkish investment in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector is expected to accelerate through larger-scale projects, supported by agreements to prevent double taxation and promote and protect investments.
The $5 billion bilateral trade target remains central to the economic agenda.
“With JETCO becoming operational, we expect our bilateral trade, which is currently around $1 billion, to increase toward the $5 billion target,” Poroy said.
“We are eager to deepen our political ties and sustain comprehensive consultations on bilateral and regional issues.”
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