Turkey in May 2026: the most important developments in politics
Turkey, May 2026: the main political story was the court-ordered upheaval of the country's main opposition party, the CHP. On May 21 an appeals court removed the party leadership and reinstated Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, its leader until 2023, in a ruling that also ousted the sitting head of the party. On May 23 a court ordered the CHP to hold a new congress after annulling its 2023 vote, and 13 people were detained in a related investigation. On May 24 authorities ordered the evacuation of the party's headquarters in Ankara, and riot police used tear gas to remove the ousted leader from the building. On May 31 a fight over a new constitution was described as able to decide President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's political future, while the opposition feared he might call snap elections.
On May 22 Erdogan signed a decree closing Bilgi University, a private liberal institution in Istanbul, amid a criminal investigation. The government also revoked the license of another university that the state had seized. After protests against the closure, Erdogan withdrew the decree by May 25, and Bilgi University remains open.
Turkey stayed active in diplomacy around the Iran war. On May 12 it said the Strait of Hormuz should not be used as a weapon. On May 20 Erdogan told US President Donald Trump that issues with Iran can be resolved, according to Ankara, while Trump said the Iran negotiations were in their final phase. On May 26 Erdogan told his Iranian counterpart that Turkey is ready to back peace and stability. On May 25 Trump called on Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey and other countries to join the Abraham Accords. Erdogan said on May 16 that Israel's provocations must end for Middle East peace.
With Europe, Erdogan said on May 9 that Europe without Türkiye is incomplete and vulnerable in managing crises. Turkey was reported to be preparing a maritime zones bill and seeking expanded maritime rights in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean. Greece rejected comments by Turkey's defense minister on May 27, and Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said on May 28 that a deterrent is needed against the Turkish threat.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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