Türkiye in Focus

Türkiye in Focus 22-26 June 2026

In this week’s Türkiye in Focus:

• The 2025 European Parliament Report highlights enduring Türkiye–EU divisions, prompting a strong response from Ankara.
• The next phase of the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process is set to begin with a new legislative package.
• A wave of resignations and defections underscored divisions within the CHP while strengthening the AK Party’s appeal to politicians from rival parties.

European Parliament Report Draws Strong Reaction from Türkiye

The European Parliament’s 2025 Türkiye Report has been presented in line with the Parliament’s political character, making it largely a political document with no direct executive or binding effect. Nevertheless, its criticism of Türkiye’s judicial system, together with its positions on the Cyprus issue and the Eastern Mediterranean, prompted a strong response from Ankara. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the report as being “based on unfounded allegations” and reflecting “ideological prejudices”, highlighting that it failed to provide a fair or balanced assessment of developments in Türkiye. Similar criticism was voiced by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, who argued that the report disregarded the sovereign rights and political equality of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Although the report generated only limited debate in domestic politics, it nevertheless drew criticism from several political figures in Türkiye. Among them was MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, who strongly condemned the report and described it as another example of the European Parliament’s longstanding bias against Türkiye. The differing reactions once again underlined the persistent disagreements between Ankara and Brussels, particularly over the Cyprus issue and the Eastern Mediterranean. While the report is unlikely to have any immediate practical impact on EU–Türkiye relations, it illustrates the continuing political differences that remain an obstacle to closer engagement between the two sides.

Despite the report’s ideological tone, it acknowledged the importance of continued cooperation with Türkiye, particularly in security and migration. Notably, even Devlet Bahçeli, who delivered one of the strongest criticisms of the report, used his remarks to remind the European Union of Türkiye’s strategic importance in both areas. This suggests that, despite persistent political disagreements, EU–Türkiye relations continue to be characterised by a balance between tension and pragmatic cooperation.

New Legislative Signals in the Terror-Free Türkiye Process

The “Terror-Free Türkiye” process appeared to move closer to a new phase this week, with senior government figures signalling that the next stage will be supported by a legal framework. Speaking at the AK Party’s parliamentary group meeting, President Erdoğan announced that work was underway on legislation intended to accelerate the organisation’s dissolution process, adding that the draft would be submitted to Parliament in the near future. The AK Party’s spokesperson Ömer Çelik likewise confirmed that the necessary legislative proposals would soon be presented, placing Parliament at the centre of expectations in the coming weeks. As the Turkish Grand National Assembly traditionally begins its summer recess on 1 July, attention is now focused on whether the parliamentary agenda will be extended to allow the legislation to be debated before the break.

President Erdoğan also sought to frame the process as a state policy extending beyond party politics, describing it as a new “Yenikapı Spirit” and invoking the atmosphere of political unity that followed the failed coup attempt of 15 July 2016. He further linked the initiative to broader regional developments, stating that “the Iran crisis has confirmed that this process is of vital importance not only for our country and the region, but also for our Kurdish brothers”. Erdoğan added that “thanks to the positive atmosphere and channels of dialogue created by the process, even greater provocations that would also have harmed our Kurdish brothers have been prevented”, concluding that “it will become clearer in time what a bloody and insidious plot we have thwarted as Turks, Kurds, Arabs and Persians”. With legislation now expected to enter the parliamentary agenda, these remarks highlighted the government’s effort to present the initiative not merely as a domestic security policy but also as part of a broader strategy to reduce geopolitical risks and strengthen regional stability.

Resignations and Party Switching in Domestic Politics

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) experienced another week of internal turbulence, marked by a series of resignations involving MPs and local mayors. MPs Nimet Özdemir and Ümit Dikbayır, together with the mayors of İzmir, Bolu, Haymana and Keşan, all left the party, though for different reasons. Statements by the mayors of İzmir and Bolu, as well as by Dikbayır, suggested that their departures were largely driven by internal power struggles and disagreements over the return of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to the party leadership. In this regard, divisions within the CHP continue to shape the party’s internal dynamics.

At the same time, some of the resignations carried broader political significance. MP Nimet Özdemir joined the AK Party at the party’s parliamentary group meeting, where President Erdoğan personally presented her with the party badge, while the Mayor of Haymana received his AK Party badge from Erdoğan at a separate event. These developments reinforced the perception that the CHP is not only dealing with internal disputes but is also losing politicians to its principal political rival. They have also contributed to the view that the AK Party is becoming increasingly attractive to politicians across the spectrum, with growing speculation that further defections may follow in the coming weeks. Although it is too early to assess the long-term political impact, the latest developments suggest that party realignments will remain an important feature of Türkiye’s domestic political agenda.

Highlights

• Türkiye marked a milestone in its defence industry by securing its first warship export to a NATO and EU member country through a deal with Romania.
• At the fourth R4 consultative meeting in Cairo, the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia welcomed recent US-Iran diplomatic engagement and reiterated their backing for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
• Türkiye has completed its domestic ratification process for the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement among the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), becoming the third member to do so after Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The agreement, which will enter into force once Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan complete their own approval procedures, aims to strengthen digital trade and economic integration by establishing common rules and reducing barriers to cross-border digital commerce.

Recent Publications by the TRT World Research Centre

Energy Shock, Global Consequences: The US-Iran War as a Vulnerability Multiplier Policy Outlook by Kübra Aktaş

The Anatomy of the Ballot Box: What Lies Ahead After Armenia’s 2026 Polls? Policy Outlook by İhsan Faruk Kılavuz

Hormuz Goes Digital: Iran’s Weaponisation of Connectivity Analysis by Mehmet Kılıç

The Hejaz Railway and the New Silk Route of the Middle East Analysis by Burak Elmalı