Politics
Turkish main opposition stands to lose another mayor to AK Party
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) achieved significant gains in the last municipal elections, unprecedented in two decades. However, boiling tensions within the party paved the way for mayors to part ways with the party.
Since the 2024 elections, 14 mayors left the party and joined the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). This number is expected to rise to 15 when Burcu Köksal, the CHP mayor for the western city of Afyonkarahisar, joins the party. Neither Köksal nor the AK Party confirmed the switch, but the CHP administration remains assured that Köksal will leave as she did not return the calls from party officials, nor did she accept requests for a meeting when the rumors broke out. AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik, meanwhile, on Saturday, told journalists that they may see “who will join the party at the next parliamentary group meeting.”
The CHP is embattled with corruption trials involving its mayors, as well as infighting over an alleged corrupt 2023 election that brought current Chair Özgür Özel to power. Elsewhere, scandals of extramarital affairs rock the party.
The party attempts to portray the resignations as results of “blackmail” by the government to mayors, though mayors parting ways with the CHP had been adamant critics of the party long before they left. Mayors cite pressure on local administrations by the central administration of the party, lack of interest in their demands from the central administration, intolerance toward criticism, especially on corruption scandals, as well as the purge of dissidents within the party.
A report by the Sabah newspaper says Özel was particularly angered over mayors who met the minister of environment, urban planning and climate change and sought assistance to improve municipal services. The report says Özel’s insulting messages to Mesut Özarslan, the mayor of Ankara’s Keçiören district, who recently resigned from the party, also disturbed other mayors. Mehmet Sevigen, former secretary-general of the CHP, told the Sabah newspaper that the party was “not managed well.”
“They are off the course. The central administration acts on its own without listening to anyone else. They cannot call the people guilty of (corruption) guilty. They are stuck between Ankara and Silivri,” he said, referring to the Istanbul district where former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, an influential figure in the CHP and future presidential candidate, is imprisoned.
“They have to weed out the guilty. They cannot call out corruption, however. I expect more resignations unless the party sends out the corrupt ones,” he said.
Mustafa Yavuz, one of the dissidents who was expelled from the party, told Sabah that the incidents in Uşak, Antalya and Bolu left an impact on the public. He was referring to cities whose mayors were detained on corruption charges. During the investigation, media reports revealed secret affairs of Uşak and Antalya mayors.
“They resisted for two months before expelling Özkan Yalım. People noticed this,” he said, in reference to the mayor of Uşak, who was caught with a mistress when police raided his hotel room to detain him on charges of corruption. Yavuz claimed that thousands of complaints have been filed with the CHP’s public relations office regarding the mayors. He also claimed that three more mayors were seeking to join the AK Party.
Turkish authorities detained 29 suspects on Friday as part of a corruption investigation targeting a company affiliated with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), authorities announced.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said the operation focused on Tree and Landscape Inc. (Ağaç ve Peyzaj A.Ş.), a municipal landscaping and green-space company. Investigators allege that suspects set up a “fictional tender system” to manipulate public procurement processes and steer contracts to selected companies.
Detention warrants were issued for 30 suspects, prosecutors said. Police detained 29 of them in simultaneous raids, while one suspect was found to be abroad. Authorities said efforts were continuing to locate the fugitive suspect.
Among those detained were the deputy secretary-general and head of the municipality’s Parks and Gardens Department.
According to the investigation file, suspects allegedly gave certain companies an unfair advantage, coordinated tender procedures and undermined competition in public procurement. Prosecutors also claim the alleged scheme caused public financial losses.
The operation is part of a wider investigation into what prosecutors describe as a criminal organization led by former Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu. Officials say several alleged acts listed in an indictment were connected to Tree and Landscape Inc.
Investigators also allege that suppliers were asked to pay bribes amounting to 10% of contract values and that the money was collected through company executives.
The main opposition CHP is under mounting scrutiny as a wave of corruption, bribery and terrorism-related investigations sweeps across its municipalities.
The most extensive probe targets the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, led by ousted mayor Imamoğlu, over claims of systematic corruption, fictitious tenders and abuse of public resources.
Prosecutors accuse Imamoğlu, identified in the indictment as the leader of a criminal organization, of a wide range of offenses, including forming and leading a criminal group, bribery, money laundering, fraud against public institutions, unlawful collection and dissemination of personal data, destruction of evidence, bid-rigging and abuse of office.
The 3,809-page indictment was completed on Nov. 11, 2025, and seeks prison sentences ranging from 828 years and two months to 2,352 years for Imamoğlu in relation to 142 alleged acts.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday received the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Istanbul amid growing ties between Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates.
According to Turkish sources, the meeting took place at the Dolmabahçe Working Office and was also attended by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
In a statement shared on his X account following his meeting with President Erdoğan, Sheikh Mansour said the UAE views strengthening partnerships and creating new opportunities for cooperation as a consistent pillar of its relations with countries around the world. He added that the two sides discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation and expand it across various sectors in a manner that serves mutual interests and supports development and prosperity for both nations.
Erdoğan’s July 2023 visit to the UAE marked a new milestone in relations as the two countries decided to set up a high-level strategic council, essentially recognizing each other as strategic partners. Since then, commercial relations between the two countries significantly increased. Sheikh Mohammed was a guest of Erdoğan last July, co-chairing the first meeting of the council, after Erdoğan’s last visit to his country in February 2024.
The UAE is Türkiye’s biggest trade partner in the Gulf and bilateral trade volume was about $16 billion in 2024. The two countries aim to increase it to $20 billion in the short term and $40 billion in the medium term.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the latest developments in ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States, diplomatic sources said Friday.
The two top diplomats reviewed the current state of the talks between Tehran and Washington.
Iran said on Friday that it is still reviewing a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the conflict.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told the semi-official Tasnim news agency that Tehran is continuing its assessment of the proposal and will announce its final position once the review process is completed.
The fragile cease-fire between the United States and Iran wobbled again Friday after fresh clashes erupted in the Gulf, with both sides trading accusations of aggression while fears grew that the conflict could spiral back into a wider regional war.
Washington has been awaiting Tehran’s response to a proposed framework aimed at ending the conflict, though major sticking points remain unresolved, particularly Iran’s nuclear program and restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken praised Türkiye’s defense industry as a “role model” ahead of a high-level economic mission to Ankara and Istanbul, highlighting growing cooperation between the NATO allies in defense, trade and technology.
Speaking before the May 10-14 visit, Francken said Türkiye had become a leading example in innovation, production capacity and defense research and development, particularly as European countries seek to strengthen their own military industries amid rising global tensions.
“The Turkish defense industry is truly at a very advanced level in terms of innovation and building a strong defense capacity,” Francken told Anadolu Agency (AA). “Therefore, they are a role model for me.”
The Belgian delegation, led by Queen Mathilde and regional government representatives, is expected to include more than 450 participants, among them dozens of defense companies, research institutions and universities seeking partnerships with Turkish counterparts.
Francken said around 40 agreements were already prepared for signing, with additional deals still under negotiation. He described the growing number of commercial and institutional partnerships as “a very positive and encouraging development.”
“A significant part of our defense sector is very interested in learning from the Turkish defense industry,” he said.
The remarks reflect increasing European interest in Türkiye’s rapidly expanding defense sector, which has gained international attention in recent years through advances in drone technology, naval systems, armored vehicles and domestic weapons production.
Francken said Belgium viewed Türkiye not only as an important NATO ally but also as a strategic economic partner positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
“Türkiye is a very great economic and geopolitical power,” he said. “We need to work together. This is in both our interest and Türkiye’s interest.”
Trade volume between the two countries has reached roughly $8 billion annually, according to Francken, who also oversees foreign trade. He emphasized the importance of expanding economic cooperation across multiple sectors, including defense, biotechnology, health sciences, agriculture and food processing.
He also praised Türkiye’s workforce and education system, describing the country as home to “hardworking people” and a large pool of highly qualified young graduates.
“This means there are many opportunities we can do together,” he said.
On security matters, Francken stressed the importance of preserving NATO unity at a time of strains within the alliance, warning against divisions between Europe and the United States.
“We are an alliance, and NATO is the strongest alliance in the last 80 years of human history,” he said. “If we divide, we lose; if we unite, we survive.”
Francken said he hoped tensions inside NATO would ease and voiced support for closer trans-Atlantic cooperation on defense production and industrial capacity.
“The summit is extremely important,” he said, referring to upcoming NATO discussions expected to focus heavily on defense manufacturing, joint production and burden-sharing among allies.
The Belgian minister also rejected calls in parts of Europe for developing an independent nuclear deterrent, cautioning against what he described as irresponsible rhetoric.
“Sometimes people and world leaders talk about acquiring nuclear capacity as if it were buying a sandwich,” he said. “I don’t think that’s a good approach.”
Instead, he argued that Europe should focus on strengthening conventional defense capabilities while maintaining close cooperation with Washington within NATO’s existing deterrence framework.
Francken also pushed back against the use of trade tariffs in relations with Türkiye, saying he favored deeper economic integration over protectionist policies.
“I don’t want customs tariffs with Türkiye,” he said. “I think we have a good partnership, a good agreement.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday said there would be “no turning back” from the terror-free Türkiye initiative, describing the process as the country’s most strategic effort to strengthen national unity and eliminate terrorism permanently.
Speaking at the SAHA 2026 International Defense, Aviation and Space Industry Fair in Istanbul, Erdoğan linked Türkiye’s expanding defense capabilities with its broader security goals, including the ongoing initiative aimed at dismantling the PKK terrorist group’s armed structure.
“Today, the most strategic step we are taking to fortify our internal stronghold is the ‘terror-free Türkiye’ process and the goal of a terror-free region,” Erdoğan said.
“The terror-free Türkiye process is the name of a grand vision that aims to build a peaceful, secure, prosperous future where peace prevails,” he added.
The initiative has entered a critical phase in recent months, with Turkish authorities focusing on the practical implementation of disarmament mechanisms following the PKK’s announcement in 2025 that it would dissolve its organizational structure.
Ankara insists that the process must begin with the unconditional surrender of weapons before any broader legal or political discussions can proceed. Turkish officials say the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) will oversee verification and monitoring efforts to ensure militants fully disarm and withdraw from armed activity.
The process emerged after decades of PKK terrorism that claimed tens of thousands of lives in Türkiye. Officials have repeatedly emphasized that the current framework differs from the failed 2013-2015 reconciliation process by prioritizing concrete developments on the ground rather than political declarations.
Recent statements by senior PKK figures suggested internal tensions over control of the process, particularly between imprisoned PKK ringleader Abdullah Öcalan and commanders based in northern Iraq’s Mount Qandil region. Turkish officials view control over the group’s weapons and disarmament timeline as the key unresolved issue.
Erdoğan framed the initiative as part of a broader national struggle rooted in Türkiye’s history of resistance and unity.
“We went hungry, we went thirsty, we were left without weapons, without ammunition, but we never lost our faith, we never succumbed to despair,” he said.
“At the heart of this will lies the sacred memory and blessed legacy of the heroes who sacrificed their lives for their homeland and nation,” Erdoğan added, referring to security forces and civilians killed in terrorist attacks.
The president also stressed that Türkiye now possesses the military and technological strength to defend itself independently, highlighting advances in domestically produced fighter aircraft, drones, missiles, naval systems and electronic warfare technologies.
“Türkiye is a state that possesses more than enough power and strength to break the will of any hostile element that dares to threaten its independence and future,” he said.
The initiative has also exposed growing divergence between the PKK’s armed leadership and the pro-PKK Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), whose officials have publicly supported disarmament and warned the organization against delaying the process.
Turkish officials say the next stage will center on verification mechanisms, legal arrangements concerning militants not involved in crimes and ensuring the complete dismantling of the PKK’s armed infrastructure.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune oversaw the signing of a series of agreements in Ankara on Thursday, following bilateral talks and the first meeting of the Türkiye-Algeria High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
The two leaders signed a joint declaration marking the council’s first meeting, a step Ankara and Algiers described as part of efforts to deepen political, economic and institutional cooperation between the two countries.
The agreements covered a wide range of areas, including transportation, telecommunications, industry, agriculture, disaster management, media cooperation, investment promotion and broadcasting.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in postal services and telecommunications. Fidan also signed an agreement with Algerian Interior, Local Authorities and Transport Minister Said Sayoud on international passenger and freight transport.
Another memorandum, signed by Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş and Attaf, focused on the welfare of independence veterans and the relatives of martyrs.
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi and Sayoud signed an agreement on the mutual recognition and exchange of driver’s licenses. The two ministers also signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in disaster and emergency management.
Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır and Algerian Industry Minister Yahia Bachır signed a memorandum between the two countries’ industry ministries. They also signed a separate agreement on cooperation in standardization, conformity assessment and training.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumaklı and Algerian Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries Minister Yacine El Mahdi Oualid signed an agreement on cooperation in plant protection and plant quarantine.
Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and Algerian Foreign Trade and Export Promotion Minister Kamel Rezig signed a joint declaration to launch negotiations on a preferential trade agreement, signaling an effort to further expand commercial ties between the two countries.
The Turkish presidency’s communications director, Burhanettin Duran, and Attaf signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in combating media disinformation.
Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, head of Türkiye’s Investment and Finance Office, and Omar Rekkache, director general of Algeria’s Investment Promotion Agency, signed a memorandum on cooperation in investment promotion.
Two separate memorandums were also signed between Algeria’s public radio institution, EPRS, and Turkish public broadcaster TRT. TRT Director General Zahid Sobacı and Algeria’s ambassador to Türkiye, Boumediene Guennad, signed agreements covering cooperation in television and radio broadcasting.
The signing ceremony came after Erdoğan and Tebboune held one-on-one talks and chaired the strategic cooperation council meeting, which was established to provide a framework for closer coordination between Ankara and Algiers.
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