Turkey elections

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel, speaks to the media at CHP headquarters on May 22, 2026, in Ankara, Turkey.

Analysis

Erdogan’s CHP move raises early poll prospects as Iran war bleeds Turkey’s economy

A court move targeting Turkey’s main opposition party, combined with mounting economic pressure linked to the Iran conflict, is raising expectations of an early vote that could extend President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rule.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Ozgur Ozel addresses the audience during a rally in Istanbul on April 9, 2025.

Turkish court ousts CHP leadership amid opposition crackdown

The ruling marks a major escalation in the legal crackdown on the CHP, which has already been hit by the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, its presidential candidate.

US Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a meeting with President Donald Trump and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Oval Office at the White House on Sept. 25, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Trump envoy Barrack’s embrace of 'strong leaders' sparks fury in Turkey

Turkish opposition members say envoy Tom Barrack’s remarks praising “strong leaders” and monarchies undermine Turkey’s democratic tradition and embolden President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to MPs at his party's group meeting in the Turkish parliament on Jan. 21, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey.

Analysis

How the Iran war is giving Turkey's Erdogan a big boost

Opinion polls show Turks turning to Erdogan as a steady hand during the war, even as the country's finances remain fragile.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Analysis

In Turkey, is Bilal Erdogan preparing to replace his father?

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Erdogan taps Istanbul prosecutor as justice minister in cabinet reshuffle

A picture of Akin Gurlek.

Analysis

Eyeing Turkey, Netanyahu boosts Greece, Cyprus ties ahead of US visit

ABIR SULTAN / AFP via Getty Images

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Turkey sentences journalist over 4 years in jail for threatening Erdogan

Prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altayli is pictured in this undated image.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders' summit in Samarkand on September 16, 2022. (Photo by Alexandr Demyanchuk / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by ALEXANDR DEMYANCHUK/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Erdogan thanks 'dear friend' Putin as Turkey extends Russia-Ukraine grain deal

The extension came as Erdogan prepares to face his rival in the presidential runoff election on May 28.

Sinan Ogan

Turkey's nationalist candidate basks in glory ahead of Erdogan-Kilicdaroglu runoff

Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his secularist challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu each plot strategy behind closed doors as nationalist candidate Sinan Ogan ponders whom to support.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (R), accompanied by his wife Ermine Erdogan (L), waves to supporters at the AK Party headquarters in Ankara, Turkey May 15, 2023.

Erdogan proves unbeatable as Turkey heads for runoff

The latest count from Turkey's Supreme Electoral Board shows Erdogan with 49.40% of ballots cast versus 44.96% for Kilicdaroglu, indicating the country is set for a runoff on May 28.

People walk past under the posters of Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the presidential candidate of the Main Opposition alliance and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Taksim Square on May 10, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. On May 14th, Turkey’s President Erdogan will face his biggest electoral test as the country goes to the polls in the country’s general election. Erdogan has been in power for more than two decades -- first as prime minister, than as president -- but his popularity has recently taken a hit due to

Breaking | Last Updated: May 15, 2023, 12:03 pm

Turkey heads to runoff elections between Erdogan, Kilicdaroglu

Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his top rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu will face each other in the runoff on May 28 after a knife-edge race on Sunday.

A couple walks past billboards with the portrait of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and with the portrait of Republican People's Party (CHP) leader and presidential candidate, Kemal Kilicdaroglu (R) in Sanliurfa, south-eastern Turkey on April 28, 2023. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey Elections: Runoff election called as Erdogan faces biggest challenge from Kilicdaroglu

Turkish President Erdogan has finished ahead of main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as both frontrunners are preparing to face each other in the runoff.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu (C), Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and presidential candidate, takes pictures with children outside the Anitkabir at the Mausoleum of founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, during the celebration marking the 103th anniversary of the foundation of Grand National Assembly, National Sovereignty and Children's Day in Ankara, on April 23, 2023. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey Elections: Elders still committed to Erdogan, but are their children?

The children of some Erdogan loyalists defy their parents’ political preferences and say they would vote for his rival.

Turkey election

Turkey Elections: As rallies conclude, Erdogan defends Putin, slips in polls

Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu are wrapping up their campaigns; Russia became an issue in Friday’s rallies.

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Erdogan victory would deal big blow to Turkey's democracy, but will it be fatal?

The contest is being cast in apocalyptic terms as a fight between freedom and dictatorship, between recovery and economic ruin.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein gives a joint press conference with his German counterpart at the foreign ministry headquarters in Baghdad on March 7, 2023. (Photo by Murtaja LATEEF / AFP) (Photo by MURTAJA LATEEF/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraqi FM expects continuity in ties with Turkey, no matter who wins election

Fuad Hussein says TotalEnergies deal “would change character of Iraqi economy,” discusses relations with the United States, Iran, Syria and Arab states.

BEIJING, CHINA - MAY 13: Chinese President Xi Jinping and wife Peng Liyuan welcome Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine at the welcoming banquet for the Belt and Road Forum on May 13, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Jason Lee - Pool/Getty Images)

Analysis

Turkey Elections: China-Erdogan ties strained over Uyghurs despite economic boost

Turkey has toned down its criticism of China over the persecution of Uyghur Muslims, and though trade ties remain relatively strong, Sino-Turkish relations are not especially warm.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the opening ceremony of the Turkstream Gas Pipeline Project on January 08, 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey. The TurkStream project comprises two underwater gas lines, each with an annual capacity of 15.75 billion cubic meters. Gas will initially flow to Turkey, while a combination of existing and new pipelines will subsequently take supplies via Bulgaria to Serbia and then on to Hungary. Russia is building TurkStream and doubling

Turkey's Kilicdaroglu accuses Russia of creating 'deepfakes' against opposition

The comments from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main challenger come amid increasing scrutiny by the opposition of the current government's ties with Moscow.

Supporters wave flags and chant slogans while waiting for the arrival of CHP Party presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu during a campaign rally on April 30, 2023 in Izmir, Turkey. CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is holding campaign rallies across Turkey ahead of the countries May 14, 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections. The Kilicdaroglu-led Nation Alliance is representing six opposition parties in next month's election against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 20-year rule. (Photo by Burak Kara/

Turkey Elections: Latest polls put Erdogan challenger on verge of first-round win

Polls place Kemal Kilicdaroglu on the verge of getting a majority in the first round, a chance further boosted after Muharrem Ince bowed out of the presidential race.