Politics
Minor Turkish parties IP, ZP mull possible alliance
Good Party (IP) leader Müsavat Dervişoğlu said decisions regarding any potential alliances would be discussed within the party’s internal decision-making bodies when the appropriate time comes.
“Decisions about whether to form alliances or not are not something I would decide alone,” Dervisoglu told journalists during an iftar dinner with reporters in Ankara on Wednesday evening.
He responded to the comments, stressing, “Issues concerning my party and my country should be discussed and decided within the party’s authorized institutions.”
Remarks by the leader of Türkiye’s nationalist Victory Party (ZP) about a possible election alliance with the Good Party have sparked renewed debate in Turkish politics over the possibility of a broader nationalist bloc ahead of future elections.
ZP leader Ümit Özdağ said Tuesday during an interview with Turkish media that his party was open to forming an alliance with the IP, describing such cooperation as “perhaps the most natural alliance in Turkish politics.”
Özdağ said both parties’ supporters favored closer political cooperation, raising speculation about whether nationalist-oriented opposition parties could coordinate their strategies in upcoming elections.
Dervisoglu also noted the IP has not held formal alliance talks with any political party since Türkiye’s 2023 elections.
He also acknowledged that opinion polls showing the party’s support at around 8% to 9% would not be sufficient under Türkiye’s current political system.
“Nine percent does not benefit either us or Türkiye,” he said, arguing that the country’s political system requires either winning the presidency or building a parliamentary majority strong enough to govern effectively.
Dervisoglu said the IP aims to become a political platform capable of bringing together different segments of society, describing the party as a potential “umbrella” under which other political groups could gather.
Asked about public trust in the opposition, he said skepticism was not limited to opposition parties.
“This nation does not distrust only the opposition; it does not fully trust the government either,” he said, adding that voters may still be searching for a political leadership they can place their confidence in.
The comments of the leaders have fueled discussions about whether nationalist parties in Türkiye could cooperate more closely in future elections.
The ZP and IP have overlapping political stances, although the ZP stood out with its more hawkish tone, especially in anti-refugee policies that led to an indictment against its chair, Özdağ, on charges of inciting riots against Syrian refugees in Türkiye.
Özdağ was detained last year initially over accusations that he “insulted” the president, but the scope of the investigation was later expanded to include charges of inciting public hatred and hostility.
Moreover, Özdağ was later formally arrested and charged with inciting hatred against migrants. He was blamed for anti-Syrian refugee riots in the central province of Kayseri, during which hundreds of homes and businesses were attacked.
In the 2023 elections, Özdağ endorsed Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the candidate of a six-party opposition bloc against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while the ZP won 2.2% of the vote in legislative elections where it jointly ran with the Justice Party under the ATA Alliance. In last year’s municipal elections, it won only 1.74% of the vote.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Thursday she will travel to Türkiye in the coming days to meet Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan for talks on the escalating conflict in the Middle East and efforts to reduce tensions.
Anand said at a news conference that she will be “emphasizing and pushing on the needs of Canadians in the region, as well as the need for de-escalation and the protection of civilian lives and civilian infrastructure.”
Her remarks came as Canada announced new humanitarian funding for Lebanon.
Randeep Sarai, Canada’s secretary of state for international development, said Ottawa is providing $37.7 million in assistance to support urgent humanitarian needs.
Canada is working with “trusted humanitarian partners, including Canadian NGOs, such as Humanity and Inclusion Canada, Oxfam Quebec, International Medical Corps Canada, U.N. agencies and the Red Cross to ensure this life saving assistance goes directly to those who desperately need it,” he said. “We call on all actors to immediately de-escalate the situation and engage in constructive dialogue to prevent further suffering. The people of Lebanon deserve safety, dignity and a future free from violence.”
The escalation in the Middle East flared since Israel and the U.S. launched a joint attack against Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,300 victims to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and over 150 schoolgirls.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets, killing at least eight U.S. service members and injuring 140.
On March 2, the Lebanese resistance group, Hezbollah, began attacking Israeli military sites in response to repeated Israeli attacks against Lebanon and the killing of Khamenei in a U.S.-Israeli strike.
Israel retaliated by launching a military campaign against Lebanon, carrying out airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and areas in the south and east. On March 3, it began a limited ground incursion in southern Lebanon.
Türkiye and Germany are expected to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, expanding trade and addressing regional crises during talks between Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his German counterpart Johann David Wadephul, who will visit Ankara this week, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
Wadephul will hold talks in Ankara on March 12 with Foreign Minister Fidan as the two NATO allies seek to deepen cooperation in political, economic and security fields.
According to Turkish diplomatic sources, the discussions are expected to highlight the momentum gained through recent high-level visits between the two countries and the importance of maintaining close dialogue.
Fidan is also expected to underline the significance of the third meeting of the Türkiye-Germany Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, scheduled to take place in Berlin on May 18, which aims to further strengthen the multidimensional relationship between the two countries.
Economic cooperation will also feature prominently in the talks, with Türkiye seeking to expand trade with Germany toward a $60 billion bilateral trade target. Officials are expected to discuss continued collaboration through mechanisms such as the Joint Economic and Trade Committee and the Energy and Mining Forum.
Defense industry cooperation and broader security issues are also set to be addressed during the meeting.
Fidan is expected to stress the importance of the European Union adopting a strategic approach toward relations with Türkiye and voice Ankara’s expectation that Germany support the revival of Türkiye’s EU accession process.
Türkiye will also convey its expectations regarding key issues in relations with the EU, including the modernization of the Customs Union and progress in the Visa Liberalization Dialogue.
On European security initiatives launched by the EU, Fidan is expected to emphasize that such efforts should be coordinated under NATO and include the participation of allied countries that are not EU members.
The Turkish minister is also expected to underline the importance Ankara attaches to the welfare and security of the approximately 3.5 million people of Turkish origin living in Germany, whom Türkiye views as a bridge between the two countries.
Regional developments are also expected to be high on the agenda, including the situation in Gaza and the broader Palestinian issue, the Russia-Ukraine war and the latest developments in Syria.
According to the sources, Fidan is expected to stress that attacks in the region are endangering energy supply security while also creating risks in areas such as migration and counterterrorism.
Türkiye is also expected to reiterate that diplomacy remains the only viable path to reducing tensions and resolving conflicts in the region.
Türkiye and Germany maintain a multifaceted relationship covering political, economic, military and parliamentary cooperation. Germany remains one of Türkiye’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching $52.2 billion in 2025.
Around 6.7 million German tourists visited Türkiye in 2025, while the large Turkish community in Germany continues to serve as a key link between the two nations.
Türkiye condemned Israel’s attacks on Lebanon that have displaced nearly one million people, calling them a grave violation of international humanitarian law and warning that the assaults are deepening regional instability.
In a statement published Thursday, the Foreign Ministry said Israel’s actions demonstrate an expansionist approach that is further destabilizing the region.
Ankara also warned that the Netanyahu government should not be allowed to continue in Lebanon the destructive policies it has pursued in Gaza.
Türkiye reaffirmed its solidarity with Lebanon, saying it will continue to stand with the Lebanese people and government against attacks that threaten the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for an urgent return to diplomacy to halt the escalating conflict involving Iran and the U.S., warning that the war risks causing widespread damage across the region and the global economy.
Speaking at a parliamentary group meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) at the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM), Erdoğan said Ankara has intensified diplomatic contacts with countries involved in the conflict as well as regional actors.
“We have established contacts with Iran, the U.S. and other relevant countries in the region. I have held more than 20 phone calls,” Erdoğan said. “This war must be stopped before it escalates further. If diplomacy is given a chance, it is possible to achieve this.”
He added that Türkiye is continuing diplomatic initiatives to help revive negotiations and prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
“We speak very carefully, choose our words with great care and act cautiously. We are taking the necessary precautions against bloody scenarios,” he said.
Erdoğan stressed that the Middle East has been facing a series of crises and conflicts for years, warning that the latest escalation has further destabilized the region.
“For a long time, crises and conflicts in our region have not ceased. Before existing conflicts end, new ones are added every day,” he said. “Most recently, the war launched against our neighbor Iran, following Israel’s provocations, has caused serious destruction.”
Reminding that the conflict has already taken a heavy toll, including 175 schoolgirls at an elementary school, almost 2,000 people, and senior Iranian officials and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, he warned that the economic impact could be felt globally. “The attacks against Iran are also creating serious pressure on the global economy,” Erdoğan said.
“The entire world is preparing to pay the price of this war.”
The Turkish leader emphasized that Türkiye would not remain indifferent to crises in its region and would continue to take an active role in seeking solutions.
“As Türkiye, we are not a country that remains indifferent to crises around us or turns its back on friends and brothers in difficult times,” he said.
Türkiye has recently intensified diplomatic contacts with regional and international partners as fighting in the Middle East raises concerns about the risk of a broader regional conflict and its potential impact on the country’s security.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Monday to discuss the latest developments following the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran and the broader regional conflict.
Erdoğan also held a separate phone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the same day to discuss the latest developments following attacks on Iran and the broader regional conflict.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also held a series of phone calls with counterparts from several countries to discuss the escalating crisis.
According to Turkish diplomatic sources, Fidan spoke separately with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.
The discussions focused on the risks posed by the ongoing war and attacks affecting third countries.
Most recently, in another call on Tuesday, Fidan told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that any violation of Turkish airspace was unacceptable and said Türkiye would continue taking all necessary measures to safeguard its security.
Furthermore, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler also held a phone call with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani.
The two officials discussed bilateral defense cooperation and regional security developments, according to a statement from the Turkish Defense Ministry.
Unity in the region
The president also warned against attempts to inflame sectarian divisions in the region, saying such debates were harmful and should be avoided.
“Today, we are witnessing sectarian tensions being fueled on social media. Bringing these issues to the agenda again is not a coincidence,” he said.
Reaffirming Türkiye’s stance on regional peace, Erdoğan underlined Ankara supports the territorial integrity of all countries in the Middle East and seeks lasting stability.
“We stand for lasting peace in the Middle East,” he remarked. “We respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. We have no ambitions regarding the lands or sovereignty of any country.”
At the beginning of the meeting, the president also expressed hope that the gathering would bring positive outcomes for the country, the nation and democracy.
Thanking party members and guests for their participation, he also conveyed greetings to the AK Party organization working across Türkiye’s 81 provinces under the slogan “Everything for Türkiye,” as well as to the party’s 11.5 million members, delivering a message of unity and solidarity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has become the greatest disaster facing Israelis since the Holocaust, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, warning that the region is being dragged toward a broader catastrophe amid escalating tensions.
Speaking at an iftar with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) lawmakers in the capital Ankara, Erdoğan said even Israelis who spend their nights in shelters are increasingly expressing that Netanyahu represents the biggest calamity to confront the Israeli people since the Holocaust.
The president also warned that the region was gradually being pushed toward disaster by what he described as a “network of massacres driven by arrogance.”
Erdoğan said Türkiye is working to prevent the crisis from expanding further and to stop the conflict before more lives are lost.
He stressed that Ankara’s position regarding the crisis involving Iran is clear and consistent.
Erdoğan noted that Türkiye stands on the side of peace rather than war and is focused on efforts to de-escalate tensions before the situation in Iran spirals further.
Foreign ministers from eight Muslim-majority countries, including Türkiye, condemned Israel on March 11 for restricting Muslim worshippers’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, urging the international community to pressure Israel to end the restrictive measures.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates criticized Israeli authorities for continuing to close the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan.
The ministers said security restrictions limiting access to Jerusalem’s Old City and its places of worship constitute a violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as the longstanding historical and legal status quo governing the site.
They strongly rejected the illegal and unjustified measures, accusing Israel of continuing provocative actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque and against worshippers.
The statement stressed that Israel holds no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The ministers also reiterated that the entire Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, covering approximately 144 dunams, is exclusively a place of worship for Muslims.
They emphasized that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, which operates under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the sole legal authority responsible for administering the site and regulating entry.
The ministers called on Israel to immediately reopen the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, lift access restrictions to Jerusalem’s Old City and allow Muslim worshippers to freely enter the mosque.
They also urged the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel to stop what they described as ongoing violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Since the start of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have tightened restrictions on Palestinians traveling from the occupied West Bank to East Jerusalem, significantly limiting access to the city.
Many Palestinians view these measures as part of a broader Israeli policy aimed at changing the demographic and cultural character of East Jerusalem, home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, by diminishing its Arab and Islamic identity.
Since 2003, Israeli authorities have also permitted Israeli settlers to enter the compound on a near-daily basis, with access typically suspended only on Fridays and Saturdays.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is regarded as Islam’s third-holiest site. Jews refer to the same area as the Temple Mount, which they believe was the location of two ancient Jewish temples.
Israel captured East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and later declared the entire city its capital in 1980, a move that has not been recognized by the international community.
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