JamesInTurkey.com
@jamesinturkey.com
Turkish politics and elections website. Written by @michaeldaventry.com
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JamesInTurkey.com
@jamesinturkey.com
· Apr 14
Parliamentary arithmetic still matters.
A reminder that Turkey's governing party does not have a majority, and its de facto coalition does not wield a three-fifths majority in the Grand National Assembly.
You need the latter to change the constitution or call an early election.
A reminder that Turkey's governing party does not have a majority, and its de facto coalition does not wield a three-fifths majority in the Grand National Assembly.
You need the latter to change the constitution or call an early election.
Sırrı Süreyya Önder died this afternoon of multiple organ failure, after spending nearly three weeks critically ill in hospital following emergency heart surgery.
A huge loss for parliament, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party – and the peace process.
A huge loss for parliament, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party – and the peace process.
Sırrı Süreyya Önder, one of the most recognised pro-Kurdish politicians in Turkey and member of the delegation holding talks with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, has been rushed to hospital tonight with a suspected tear to a heart valve.
His party says his condition is serious.
His party says his condition is serious.
May 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Sırrı Süreyya Önder died this afternoon of multiple organ failure, after spending nearly three weeks critically ill in hospital following emergency heart surgery.
A huge loss for parliament, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party – and the peace process.
A huge loss for parliament, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party – and the peace process.
Reposted by JamesInTurkey.com
You don't really need subtitles to see how well presenter Meltem Bozbeyoğlu handles the moment a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Istanbul struck live on CNN Türk, but here they are in any case.
April 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM
You don't really need subtitles to see how well presenter Meltem Bozbeyoğlu handles the moment a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Istanbul struck live on CNN Türk, but here they are in any case.
Today’s the Turkish parliament’s 105th anniversary.
Some, like independence war veteran Rauf Orbay below, believe this – and not 29 October 1923 – is Turkey’s true birthday. It was since then, he argues, that the country operated as a republic.
Either way, happy birthday 🇹🇷
Some, like independence war veteran Rauf Orbay below, believe this – and not 29 October 1923 – is Turkey’s true birthday. It was since then, he argues, that the country operated as a republic.
Either way, happy birthday 🇹🇷
April 23, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Today’s the Turkish parliament’s 105th anniversary.
Some, like independence war veteran Rauf Orbay below, believe this – and not 29 October 1923 – is Turkey’s true birthday. It was since then, he argues, that the country operated as a republic.
Either way, happy birthday 🇹🇷
Some, like independence war veteran Rauf Orbay below, believe this – and not 29 October 1923 – is Turkey’s true birthday. It was since then, he argues, that the country operated as a republic.
Either way, happy birthday 🇹🇷
Getting underway right now!
📢Live webcast today!
We're hosting a video chat with @michaeldaventry.com, the journalist and creator of @jamesinturkey.com , to discuss recent news in Turkish politics.
Follow the links to join us at 0900 EST / 1300 UTC / 1600 TRT:
We're hosting a video chat with @michaeldaventry.com, the journalist and creator of @jamesinturkey.com , to discuss recent news in Turkish politics.
Follow the links to join us at 0900 EST / 1300 UTC / 1600 TRT:
Webcast: Sizing up CHP protests with James in Turkey - aka Michael Sercan Daventry
With long tractor convoys and high attendance, the CHP’s mass rally in the conservative Yozgat province looked like a potential turning point for the opposition movement in Turkey.
www.turkeyrecap.com
April 22, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Getting underway right now!
Sırrı Süreyya Önder, one of the most recognised pro-Kurdish politicians in Turkey and member of the delegation holding talks with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, has been rushed to hospital tonight with a suspected tear to a heart valve.
His party says his condition is serious.
His party says his condition is serious.
April 15, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Sırrı Süreyya Önder, one of the most recognised pro-Kurdish politicians in Turkey and member of the delegation holding talks with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, has been rushed to hospital tonight with a suspected tear to a heart valve.
His party says his condition is serious.
His party says his condition is serious.
Parliamentary arithmetic still matters.
A reminder that Turkey's governing party does not have a majority, and its de facto coalition does not wield a three-fifths majority in the Grand National Assembly.
You need the latter to change the constitution or call an early election.
A reminder that Turkey's governing party does not have a majority, and its de facto coalition does not wield a three-fifths majority in the Grand National Assembly.
You need the latter to change the constitution or call an early election.
April 14, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Parliamentary arithmetic still matters.
A reminder that Turkey's governing party does not have a majority, and its de facto coalition does not wield a three-fifths majority in the Grand National Assembly.
You need the latter to change the constitution or call an early election.
A reminder that Turkey's governing party does not have a majority, and its de facto coalition does not wield a three-fifths majority in the Grand National Assembly.
You need the latter to change the constitution or call an early election.
Now that Ekrem İmamoğlu has been formally charged and he has been stripped – temporarily, we are told – of his Istanbul mayoralty, what happens next?
A thread 🧵
A thread 🧵
March 23, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Now that Ekrem İmamoğlu has been formally charged and he has been stripped – temporarily, we are told – of his Istanbul mayoralty, what happens next?
A thread 🧵
A thread 🧵
Turkey's opposition CHP has called an extraordinary party congress.
What happens now – and is Özgür Özel's leadership under threat?
A thread 🧵
What happens now – and is Özgür Özel's leadership under threat?
A thread 🧵
March 22, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Turkey's opposition CHP has called an extraordinary party congress.
What happens now – and is Özgür Özel's leadership under threat?
A thread 🧵
What happens now – and is Özgür Özel's leadership under threat?
A thread 🧵
This morning's police raids targeted 106 suspects but the focus, of course, is on the man who is Turkey's most recognisable politician after Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Where now for Ekrem İmamoğlu, President Erdoğan and Turkey?
A thread after a tumultuous 24 hours.
Where now for Ekrem İmamoğlu, President Erdoğan and Turkey?
A thread after a tumultuous 24 hours.
March 19, 2025 at 3:12 PM
This morning's police raids targeted 106 suspects but the focus, of course, is on the man who is Turkey's most recognisable politician after Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Where now for Ekrem İmamoğlu, President Erdoğan and Turkey?
A thread after a tumultuous 24 hours.
Where now for Ekrem İmamoğlu, President Erdoğan and Turkey?
A thread after a tumultuous 24 hours.
Reposted by JamesInTurkey.com
“The terrorism charge is particularly serious because it could allow him to be removed from office. It means that by the end of the day Ekrem İmamoğlu may no longer be mayor of Istanbul.”
Me on the BBC World Service a little earlier.
Me on the BBC World Service a little earlier.
March 19, 2025 at 10:04 AM
“The terrorism charge is particularly serious because it could allow him to be removed from office. It means that by the end of the day Ekrem İmamoğlu may no longer be mayor of Istanbul.”
Me on the BBC World Service a little earlier.
Me on the BBC World Service a little earlier.
Reposted by JamesInTurkey.com
A lengthy post from Ankara's mayor Mansur Yavaş, another possible candidate against Erdoğan, who comes out for İmamoğlu.
Notably, Yavaş himself declares he won't stand for president "while this unlawfulness persists".
Notably, Yavaş himself declares he won't stand for president "while this unlawfulness persists".
March 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM
A lengthy post from Ankara's mayor Mansur Yavaş, another possible candidate against Erdoğan, who comes out for İmamoğlu.
Notably, Yavaş himself declares he won't stand for president "while this unlawfulness persists".
Notably, Yavaş himself declares he won't stand for president "while this unlawfulness persists".
A big moment in the build-up to the next presidential race: perhaps the most recognisable opposition politician in Turkey can no longer run for office.
A new page in a long-running row: Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's university diploma has been annulled.
It means that if a presidential election were called now, İmamoğlu – who is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's foremost challenger – would not be able to stand as a candidate.
It means that if a presidential election were called now, İmamoğlu – who is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's foremost challenger – would not be able to stand as a candidate.
March 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
A big moment in the build-up to the next presidential race: perhaps the most recognisable opposition politician in Turkey can no longer run for office.
Reposted by JamesInTurkey.com
Abdullah Öcalan has called to abolish the PKK, but that’s just the first step in making it happen – me in @thenationalnews.com on today’s momentous news
www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/2025...
www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/2025...
Ocalan has called to abolish the PKK, but that’s just the first step in making it happen | The National
Converting this monumental announcement into real peace requires a series of concrete efforts from Turkey and the Kurds to build trust
www.thenationalnews.com
February 27, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Abdullah Öcalan has called to abolish the PKK, but that’s just the first step in making it happen – me in @thenationalnews.com on today’s momentous news
www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/2025...
www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/2025...
Reposted by JamesInTurkey.com
History in the making in Turkey, where a message from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan – apparently calling for peace and an end to an armed conflict lasting nearly half a century – is being read out live.
But it’s in Kurdish first, so most of the country doesn’t know what’s in it yet.
But it’s in Kurdish first, so most of the country doesn’t know what’s in it yet.
February 27, 2025 at 2:11 PM
History in the making in Turkey, where a message from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan – apparently calling for peace and an end to an armed conflict lasting nearly half a century – is being read out live.
But it’s in Kurdish first, so most of the country doesn’t know what’s in it yet.
But it’s in Kurdish first, so most of the country doesn’t know what’s in it yet.
Spare a thought today for Ahmet Sever: journalist, political adviser and author of one of the few actually readable Turkish political memoirs of recent years.
His 2015 account of years working for Abdullah Gül are an excellent insight into Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's capture of the AK Party.
His 2015 account of years working for Abdullah Gül are an excellent insight into Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's capture of the AK Party.
February 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Spare a thought today for Ahmet Sever: journalist, political adviser and author of one of the few actually readable Turkish political memoirs of recent years.
His 2015 account of years working for Abdullah Gül are an excellent insight into Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's capture of the AK Party.
His 2015 account of years working for Abdullah Gül are an excellent insight into Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's capture of the AK Party.
Launching soon: Turkey’s 165th active political party
Yeni Yol – the New Path Party – will be a significant one, at least in parliament, because it involves the merger of three existing parties which are crowded into the same ideological space.
For now, Deva, Gelecek and Saadet ride together.
Yeni Yol – the New Path Party – will be a significant one, at least in parliament, because it involves the merger of three existing parties which are crowded into the same ideological space.
For now, Deva, Gelecek and Saadet ride together.
January 9, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Launching soon: Turkey’s 165th active political party
Yeni Yol – the New Path Party – will be a significant one, at least in parliament, because it involves the merger of three existing parties which are crowded into the same ideological space.
For now, Deva, Gelecek and Saadet ride together.
Yeni Yol – the New Path Party – will be a significant one, at least in parliament, because it involves the merger of three existing parties which are crowded into the same ideological space.
For now, Deva, Gelecek and Saadet ride together.
New from @reuters.com: Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM party delegation to visit jailed PKK militant leader Ocalan for a second time, party sources say
January 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM
New from @reuters.com: Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM party delegation to visit jailed PKK militant leader Ocalan for a second time, party sources say
“For this process to succeed, all political circles in Turkey must…operate constructively and avoid narrow, periodic calculations. One of the most important places for these contributions will doubtless be parliament.”
A key passage in Abdullah Öcalan’s reply to Devlet Bahçeli.
A key passage in Abdullah Öcalan’s reply to Devlet Bahçeli.
December 29, 2024 at 9:16 AM
“For this process to succeed, all political circles in Turkey must…operate constructively and avoid narrow, periodic calculations. One of the most important places for these contributions will doubtless be parliament.”
A key passage in Abdullah Öcalan’s reply to Devlet Bahçeli.
A key passage in Abdullah Öcalan’s reply to Devlet Bahçeli.
Parliamentary arithmetic still matters.
A reminder that Turkey's governing party does not have a majority, and its de facto coalition does not wield a three-fifths majority in the Grand National Assembly.
You need the latter to change the constitution or call an early election.
A reminder that Turkey's governing party does not have a majority, and its de facto coalition does not wield a three-fifths majority in the Grand National Assembly.
You need the latter to change the constitution or call an early election.
November 24, 2024 at 9:15 AM
Parliamentary arithmetic still matters.
A reminder that Turkey's governing party does not have a majority, and its de facto coalition does not wield a three-fifths majority in the Grand National Assembly.
You need the latter to change the constitution or call an early election.
A reminder that Turkey's governing party does not have a majority, and its de facto coalition does not wield a three-fifths majority in the Grand National Assembly.
You need the latter to change the constitution or call an early election.
The man who runs elections in Turkey was in the US this week to observe electronic voting booths – and was apparently left impressed by the process.
Turkey currently votes with using stamps and ballot papers that are up to one metre wide. @nevsinmengu.bsky.social
Turkey currently votes with using stamps and ballot papers that are up to one metre wide. @nevsinmengu.bsky.social
November 6, 2024 at 7:14 PM
The man who runs elections in Turkey was in the US this week to observe electronic voting booths – and was apparently left impressed by the process.
Turkey currently votes with using stamps and ballot papers that are up to one metre wide. @nevsinmengu.bsky.social
Turkey currently votes with using stamps and ballot papers that are up to one metre wide. @nevsinmengu.bsky.social
There certainly won't be any public show of grief in Turkey today over Fethullah Gülen, whose death was announced overnight.
The 83-year-old's name is toxic, and not just because the government blames him for the 2016 coup attempt. That notoriety makes him a pivotal figure. 🧵
The 83-year-old's name is toxic, and not just because the government blames him for the 2016 coup attempt. That notoriety makes him a pivotal figure. 🧵
October 21, 2024 at 10:36 AM
There certainly won't be any public show of grief in Turkey today over Fethullah Gülen, whose death was announced overnight.
The 83-year-old's name is toxic, and not just because the government blames him for the 2016 coup attempt. That notoriety makes him a pivotal figure. 🧵
The 83-year-old's name is toxic, and not just because the government blames him for the 2016 coup attempt. That notoriety makes him a pivotal figure. 🧵
As polls close in the east of Turkey, this is your regular election reminder that a strong showing at an individual ballot box does not necessarily indicate a strong national performance.
March 31, 2024 at 1:15 PM
As polls close in the east of Turkey, this is your regular election reminder that a strong showing at an individual ballot box does not necessarily indicate a strong national performance.
It's 27 years since 28 February 1997, the date of a notorious meeting of politicians and soldiers in Turkey that had such dramatic effects that they're still felt today.
If you've got 10 minutes, this video will help explain why.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9MS...
If you've got 10 minutes, this video will help explain why.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9MS...
Milli Görüş: making the country more Islamic | Turkey's politics explained (2)
Episode 2 of a five-part series looking at the origins and thinking behind Turkey's main political movementsBy Michael Sercan Daventry00:00 Teaser00:35 Islam...
www.youtube.com
February 28, 2024 at 1:43 PM
It's 27 years since 28 February 1997, the date of a notorious meeting of politicians and soldiers in Turkey that had such dramatic effects that they're still felt today.
If you've got 10 minutes, this video will help explain why.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9MS...
If you've got 10 minutes, this video will help explain why.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9MS...
Spot the difference
On the left: Turkish authorities permit new political party name with a remarkable resemblance to a banned movement.
On the right: Turkish authorities reject new political party name with a remarkable resemblance to a banned movement.
On the left: Turkish authorities permit new political party name with a remarkable resemblance to a banned movement.
On the right: Turkish authorities reject new political party name with a remarkable resemblance to a banned movement.
December 12, 2023 at 1:20 PM
Spot the difference
On the left: Turkish authorities permit new political party name with a remarkable resemblance to a banned movement.
On the right: Turkish authorities reject new political party name with a remarkable resemblance to a banned movement.
On the left: Turkish authorities permit new political party name with a remarkable resemblance to a banned movement.
On the right: Turkish authorities reject new political party name with a remarkable resemblance to a banned movement.
The increasingly nationalist İYİ Party says it won't to cooperate with the opposition CHP in next year's local elections.
It leaves Meral Akşener's party standing against popular candidates she's previously endorsed, like Ekrem İmamoğlu and Mansur Yavaş.
It leaves Meral Akşener's party standing against popular candidates she's previously endorsed, like Ekrem İmamoğlu and Mansur Yavaş.
December 4, 2023 at 4:28 PM
The increasingly nationalist İYİ Party says it won't to cooperate with the opposition CHP in next year's local elections.
It leaves Meral Akşener's party standing against popular candidates she's previously endorsed, like Ekrem İmamoğlu and Mansur Yavaş.
It leaves Meral Akşener's party standing against popular candidates she's previously endorsed, like Ekrem İmamoğlu and Mansur Yavaş.