Politics
Ultra-local elections test Türkiye’s political climate
Politicians from parties of all sizes had descended onto three cities over the past weeks before Sunday’s vote began in Tokat, Gümüşhane and Nevşehir. More than 10,000 voters went to polls in six “beldes” in the said cities respectively located in northern and central Türkiye. Across Türkiye, voters also picked mukhtars for 362 neighborhoods, from Topağacı of Istanbul’s scenic Üsküdar to Tavşantepe, a rural neighborhood deep in the southeast, which hit the headlines for a grisly murder.
Voters elect mayors and municipal assembly members in “beldes,” places smaller than proper “districts” of provinces, usually with a population above 2,000 people and more. In some places, an upgrade in status of neighborhoods and villages required a new election (two years after nationwide municipal elections) and in others, vacated seats due to passing and the conviction of local political leaders made it necessary to hold a new vote.
From the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to main the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), the elections have been a race across the political spectrum for many. The leaders of several parties paid a visit this week to beldes, otherwise not frequented much in political campaigns, seeking to rally supporters. Although of interest to a small population mostly living in rural areas, the elections are a test for parties big and small to see how they will fare since the 2024 municipal elections and ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. The People’s Alliance of the AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) fielded joint candidates in six beldes, while the CHP vies for seats in three beldes, including two in Tokat’s Çevrecik and Gümüşhane’s Tekke and one in Mustafapaşa, a historic venue at the heart of famed Cappadocia region. The MHP won the 2024 elections in all districts that were stronghold beldes, and the CHP won the municipal seats in Ürgüp, which Mustafapaşa is a part, in the same election.
Although security was in place in all electoral venues, this was more visible in Tavşantepe, a neighborhood in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır’s Bağlar district. Gendarmerie troops patrolled the neighborhood during Sunday’s vote. The neighborhood was governed by mukhtar Salim Güran, uncle of Narin Güran who was found dead in September 2024 after going missing for weeks.
Salim Güran was sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement in his niece’s death and was ousted from the office. The 8-years-old girl’s death was ruled a murder while her mother, uncle and elder brother, along with a local man accused of helping them to cover up the murder, were convicted and sentenced. The incident caught public attention and led to protests, including in Tavşantepe, while relatives of Nevzat Bahtiyar, the man convicted of covering up the murder, were recently shot and injured in an attack, linked to his role in the incident.
Interior Minister Mustafa Çitçi on Monday slammed Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s comments saying Türkiye would continue to support the Palestinian cause and the status of Jerusalem.
Speaking at an event organized by the Turkish Youth Foundation (TÜGVA), Çiftci said: “We will never compromise on our stance. We will continue to carry the cause of Jerusalem’s freedom in our hearts.”
Minister Katz on Sunday attacked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Çiftci over comments regarding Jerusalem, escalating an already tense war of words between Ankara and Tel Aviv.
In a statement shared on social media, Katz responded to previous remarks made by Çiftci, who recently expressed his wish to one day serve as governor of Jerusalem and voiced confidence that the city would eventually come under Turkish administration.
“Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3,000 years and will remain the capital of Israel forever,” Katz wrote. He rejected what he described as aspirations to revive Ottoman influence in the region and argued that Israel remains capable of defending itself against any threats.
Katz also commented on Erdoğan’s leadership and referenced the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, claiming that modern Türkiye was being moved away from the principles established by its founder.
The comments came after Çiftci spoke at a meeting organized by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in the central province of Çorum. During the event, the interior minister praised Erdoğan’s leadership and expressed hope that Jerusalem would one day be “free,” drawing comparisons with developments in other regional conflicts.
“My prayer was that God would grant me the opportunity to serve as governor of Jerusalem, even for a single day,” Çiftci said. “I believe those days will come.”
He also said he believed Jerusalem would eventually come under Turkish governance, citing what he described as Erdoğan’s role as a global leader and pointing to Türkiye’s support for causes across the broader region.
Relations between Türkiye and Israel have remained strained over the war in Gaza. Turkish officials have repeatedly condemned Israeli military operations in Gaza and voiced support for Palestinian statehood.
Türkiye advocates for the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and based on the 1967 borders, while Israel pushes for more occupation, seeking to annex more Palestinian lands through thriving illegal settlements.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday described the trilateral cooperation mechanism between Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia as a guarantor of peace and stability in the South Caucasus, highlighting the growing importance of the Middle Corridor as a strategic link connecting Europe and Asia.
Speaking at a joint news conference following a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers in Istanbul, Fidan said the platform had become an important vehicle for advancing regional cooperation, connectivity and economic development at a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty.
“The Middle Corridor has become one of the strategic backbones of our trilateral cooperation,” Fidan said, referring to the trade and transportation route stretching across the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
The corridor spans from China’s Lianyungang province through Kazakhstan, across the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan and Georgia, before reaching Türkiye. It is increasingly seen as an alternative to Russia-dependent routes and traditional maritime pathways, which face rising costs and security pressures.
Fidan said the cooperation mechanism serves not only the common interests of the three countries but also contributes to peace, stability and sustainable prosperity across the wider region.
“We view this mechanism as one of the guarantees of peace, stability and sustainable prosperity in the South Caucasus,” he said.
The foreign minister noted that the world is experiencing a period marked by simultaneous geopolitical crises, rising economic uncertainty and growing concerns over energy security.
“In such a period, the environment of peace and cooperation we have established in our region represents genuine strategic value,” Fidan said.
He argued that the partnership among Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia contributes to stability, connectivity and energy supply security across a vast geography extending from Europe to Asia.
Energy cooperation remains a central pillar of the trilateral relationship, Fidan said, emphasizing that major infrastructure projects developed jointly by the three countries have helped minimize the impact of global energy disruptions.
“Access to energy at reasonable costs and without interruption has become a vital issue for the entire world,” he said.
Fidan said the next objective is to create a more integrated region through expanded energy, transportation and communications infrastructure, a move he said would provide a safer, faster and more predictable transit route between Europe and Asia.
As part of those efforts, he highlighted the strategic importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, a key transportation corridor linking the three countries. He described a ceremony held on June 2 on the Georgian section of the railway line as an important milestone toward achieving full operational capacity.
“We aim to maximize the benefits of this strategic route and generate greater added value for our region,” Fidan said.
The Turkish foreign minister also stressed that regional prosperity depends on stronger connectivity and cooperation, arguing that economic integration can reinforce peace while peace itself creates conditions for deeper regional partnerships.
Azerbaijan, Armenia peace
The ministers also discussed efforts to establish lasting peace in the South Caucasus, particularly ongoing negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Fidan said Türkiye supports the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and hopes a peace agreement can be signed without delay.
“The will demonstrated by the parties has opened a concrete window of opportunity for our region,” he said.
He added that Türkiye’s own normalization process with Armenia continues in close coordination with Azerbaijan.
The year 2025 marked a period of intensified engagement between the two former Soviet nations, with contacts expanding from political dialogue to confidence-building measures on the ground.
A major breakthrough came on Aug. 8, when Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Washington under U.S. mediation and signed a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to ending decades of conflict. On the same occasion, the foreign ministers of both countries initialed a peace agreement, underscoring a shared determination to advance toward full normalization.
According to Fidan, the strengthening of peace would accelerate connectivity projects throughout the region, while enhanced connectivity would help solidify the social and economic foundations of peace.
“This cycle serves the common interests of the entire region,” he said.
Despite positive developments in the South Caucasus, Fidan warned that the broader regional security environment continues to face serious risks.
Among the issues discussed during the meeting were ongoing diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States. Fidan said ending the conflict that has threatened regional and global stability remains essential and reiterated Türkiye’s support for diplomacy and dialogue.
“Türkiye will continue to support diplomacy and dialogue during this critical period,” he underlined.
The foreign minister also addressed the Russia-Ukraine war, describing a peaceful resolution as crucial for regional stability and security. He said Ankara remains concerned about the current deadlock both on the battlefield and in diplomatic negotiations.
“The steps taken by the parties to improve their positions have unfortunately increased tensions on the ground,” Fidan said
He pointed to recent attacks in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov as examples of the dangers posed by continued escalation.
Fidan also expressed condolences to Azerbaijan over recent casualties linked to regional tensions, extending his sympathies to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and the Azerbaijani people.
Concluding the meeting, Fidan said the three countries had reaffirmed their shared vision for the future of the South Caucasus and their commitment to deepening cooperation.
“The stronger cooperation among our countries becomes, the safer, more prosperous and more stable the South Caucasus will be,” he said.
Türkiye’s Disinformation Combat Center (DMM) on Monday has denied reports alleging that Turkish fighter jets harassed aircraft carrying Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and other European officials or violated Greek airspace.
In a statement posted on social media, the DMM described the claims as false and said Turkish aircraft did not engage in any harassment activities.
According to the statement, six aircraft were operating on routes between Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration on June 7. The DMM said four of those aircraft violated the airspace of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), prompting the deployment of two Turkish F-16 fighter jets stationed in the TRNC for air policing duties.
The agency said the Turkish jets operated exclusively within TRNC airspace and did not enter the airspace of the Greek Cypriot administration.
The DMM also rejected allegations that Turkish aircraft violated Greek airspace during flights conducted on June 6 as part of celebrations marking the 115th anniversary of the Turkish Air Force and the “Youth and Aviation Festival.”
According to the statement, all flights were carried out within the designated operational area of the 2nd Main Jet Base Command and did not enter Greek airspace.
The center urged the public not to give credence to what it described as claims aimed at creating provocation and misleading international audiences.
The allegations emerged amid longstanding tensions between Türkiye and Greece over airspace, maritime boundaries and Eastern Mediterranean disputes.
Tensions have flared intermittently in recent years between the historic rivals, who remain divided over where their continental shelves begin and end in the Aegean, an area believed to hold significant energy potential and linked to disputes over airspace and overflights.
Türkiye and Greece are at odds over a range of issues, including disputes in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, airspace and maritime jurisdiction claims, the status of demilitarized islands and the Cyprus question.
Despite periodic tensions, the two NATO allies have in recent years pursued a cautious normalization process through high-level diplomatic contacts, confidence-building measures and cooperation on trade, migration and tourism, while continuing to maintain sharply differing positions on sovereignty and regional security matters.
On the other hand, Ankara deployed six F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems to the TRNC on March 9, describing the move as a legitimate measure to strengthen deterrence and protect airspace against rising missile and drone threats.
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is already divided but all eyes are still on the party’s parliamentary group meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
In the Turkish political tradition, group meetings offer a platform for the chairs to relay the party’s views on current developments and broadcast live on national television. The CHP, however, now has two chairs: Özgür Özel, who was ousted from the office over a vote-buying trial, and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, his predecessor who was reinstated as the outcome of the same trial.
Özel last week defied the Kılıçdaroğlu administration and spoke at the parliamentary group meeting, this time as parliamentary group chairperson of the party. His speech was peppered with criticism of the Kılıçdaroğlu administration and the former leader now apparently decided to hit back as he announced he would address the lawmakers at Tuesday’s meeting at Parliament. It is unclear whether Özel will attempt to make the speech in the presence of the chair, who was branded as “traitor” by Özel’s supporters. But all signs show he is intent to defy Kılıçdaroğlu. Özel was scheduled to attend an event to honor a late mayor of the CHP in his constituency Manisa but media outlets reported that he scrapped the plans and will be at the parliament on Tuesday.
It is the first time at Parliament that a party is sharply divided yet all members still retain memberships. The CHP is notorious for disrupting the parliamentary sessions in the past but this time, it is likely that the parliamentary group meeting will be a chaotic occasion as the anger is brewing over Kılıçdaroğlu’s reinstatement.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan persuaded U.S. President Donald Trump to abandon a plan to arm Iranian opposition groups and Iraqi Kurdish groups against Tehran after details of the proposal were allegedly leaked to Türkiye by officials within the White House, Israeli media outlets reported Friday.
Citing security sources, The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli officials believed Washington would support the proposal because it could increase pressure on Tehran without requiring U.S. ground forces to enter Iran.
The report alleged that details of the initiative, which involved arming Iranian opposition and Iraqi Kurdish groups, were passed to Türkiye by certain White House officials. According to the claims, Erdoğan subsequently raised the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump and convinced him to cancel the plan.
Israeli sources reportedly accused U.S. Vice President JD Vance of leaking information about the proposal. However, Vance’s special assistant and press secretary, Luke Schroeder, denied the allegation.
Under the reported plan, Israel would have provided not only a no-fly zone for Kurdish groups but also air support against Iranian forces attempting to halt their advance.
The report further claimed that Israel intended to supply opposition groups with weapons seized from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. It added that publication of the information had received approval from Israeli military censors.
The allegations follow remarks by former Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate (AMAN) chief Tamir Hayman, who recently told U.S. broadcaster PBS that Israel had explored a range of covert options aimed at destabilizing the Iranian government.
According to Hayman, those discussions included encouraging attacks by groups opposed to Tehran, including organizations linked to the PKK terrorist group, and other efforts designed to weaken the Iranian leadership.
Hayman also claimed that a plan to arm anti-Iran Kurdish groups ultimately failed after Erdoğan persuaded Trump not to proceed.
Separate reports in the Israeli press later alleged that Mossad had supplied weapons to Iranian opposition Kurdish groups as part of efforts to undermine the government in Tehran.
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş on Friday called for intensified efforts to build a new global political and economic order, arguing that existing international institutions are increasingly unable to respond to conflicts and global crises.
Speaking at a roundtable event hosted by the Swedish Institute of International Affairs during an official visit to Stockholm, Kurtulmuş met with academics, diplomats and representatives of think tanks to discuss Türkiye’s role in a changing world, the future of Europe, NATO and the reform of the international system.
Referring to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s long-standing call for reform of the United Nations Security Council, “The world is bigger than five,” Kurtulmuş said, “We must intensify our efforts toward establishing a new global economic and political architecture. More than ever, what is needed today is a renewed commitment to dialogue, negotiation and mediation for peace.”
Kurtulmuş emphasized that the world was undergoing a profound transformation marked by armed conflicts, migration pressures, climate change and rapid technological advances. He argued that current international institutions have suffered a loss of both legitimacy and effectiveness.
“The institutions still exist, but their influence is becoming increasingly limited,” he said. “The United Nations Security Council’s capacity to prevent crises and end wars has been largely neutralized by the veto powers of its permanent members.”
He pointed to the Russia-Ukraine war, the conflict involving Iran, and the situation in Gaza as examples of the shortcomings of the current international system.
Kurtulmuş accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and imposing an apartheid-like regime on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, describing the Palestinian issue as a test of humanity’s conscience.
“When Gaza is destroyed and this is described as an operation, when the discourse of counterterrorism is used to justify genocide, and when humanitarian aid blockades are presented as security measures, international law begins to collapse,” he said.
The speaker also highlighted growing strategic ties between Türkiye and Sweden following Stockholm’s accession to NATO in 2024, saying the alliance remained a cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security.
Kurtulmuş noted that Türkiye would host two major NATO gatherings in the coming weeks: the NATO Parliamentary Summit in Istanbul on June 28-29 and the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Ankara on July 7-8.
He said the meetings would provide an opportunity to reaffirm the alliance’s political unity and strategic objectives while strengthening transatlantic ties.
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