ANALYSIS
"Erdogan's fight with Turkish business stirs economic concern" by Huseyin Hayatsever and Jonathan Spicer, Reuters
President Tayyip Erdogan has escalated Turkey's battle with its top business group, expanding a broad political crackdown on dissent and raising the stakes for his government's economic turnaround programme, analysts say.
The latest probe into TUSIAD - a symbol of Turkey's wealthy business class whose influence has faded under Erdogan's watch - has prompted questions from some foreign investors who have cheered a U-turn toward more orthodox policies since mid-2023.
"The interrogation of TUSIAD's president means that the policy support line between TUSIAD and Simsek is broken," said Arda Tunca, an independent economist and financial sector consultant.
The AK Party's response has been "swift and ruthless" and could prompt TUSIAD to "fight on" despite the risks, said Global Source Partners analyst Atilla Yesilada.
"In strengthening its security architecture, Europe shouldn't discount Turkey's role" by Yavuz Turkgenci, Atlantic Council
Turkey has gained significant experience in resolving crises. Backed by this experience, Turkey has the ability and potential to contribute to global peace and stability efforts. This capability can be another important contribution to the European security architecture.
Additionally, Turkey's defense capabilities could help shore up the European security architecture. The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), which participates in efforts to address regional conflicts and continues to perform important tasks in the fight against terrorism, has significant combat experience and high operational readiness.
The TAF and defense industry work together to achieve Turkish defense and security goals. Such collaboration between the force and defense industry can help support European security needs.
The Turkish defense industry is currently developing unmanned aerial, naval, and ground vehicles. With such technologies, and the military concepts the TAF is developing for these new systems, the Turkish defense industry and TAF have together positioned the country to respond to the needs of the digital age. Europe could harness the advantages of this position.
"Turkey said it would become a 'zero waste' nation. Instead, it became a dumping ground for Europe's rubbish" by Alexander Clapp, The Guardian
Within less than a year of Erdoğan's launch of the Zero Waste Project, more than 200,000 tonnes of plastic waste that would have headed to south-eastern China at any point in the previous 30 years made its way instead to south-eastern Turkey.
Within three years of Emine Erdoğan's announcement of the Zero Waste Project, more than 750,000 tonnes of old plastic was being diverted to Anatolia from across Europe, turning Turkey into the single greatest recipient of plastic waste on the planet. The equivalent of one dump truck full of foreign garbage was entering the country every six minutes.
But a lot of the plastic that headed to south-eastern Turkey was too dirty to convert into a bathmat or incinerate as fuel. Its fate would be that of the garbage İzzettin Akman observed getting set alight on the edge of his farm: to get covertly dumped somewhere in the countryside and spend the next tens of thousands of years breaking down into billions of minuscule plastic pieces that would enter the sea and devastate croplands.
POLITICS
Imamoglu Announces Presidential Bid as Authorities Launch New Investigation
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu officially applied to run in CHP's primary elections for the party's presidential candidacy. He announced his candidacy on social media, sharing a video of himself signing the application.
CHP Group Deputy Chairman Gokhan Gunaydin said 116 MPs have signed in support of Ekrem Imamoglu as the CHP presidential candidate.
Turkish authorities have launched a new investigation into Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, just a day after he applied to run as the main opposition party's presidential candidate.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office probes claims that Imamoglu forged official documents and used a fake university diploma. He has been summoned to the prosecutor's office on February 26 to give a statement.
In response to the 'fake diploma' investigation against Imamoglu, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel criticized the move, saying it shows how much authorities fear Imamoglu.
"They have already tried to ban him from politics five times, and now they are using his diploma for a sixth attempt. But the six arrows of CHP will prevail. Five lawsuits and one diploma won't save them. As the six arrows rise, Imamoglu wins, and so does Turkey," Ozel said.
CHP Deputy Chair Gul Ciftci announced on February 22 that Imamoglu has qualified to participate in the party's primary elections.
TUSIAD Leaders Face Detention and Travel Bans Amid Erdogan's Criticism
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the influential business group TUSIAD after a judicial investigation was launched into one of its leaders.
Speaking to his AK Party lawmakers on February 19, Erdogan called TUSIAD's recent statement "provocation." He added, "As long as we are in these seats, no one will have the power to bring back the old system where state resources are poured down to a handful of elites."
Just hours after Erdogan accused them of meddling in politics, police detained Orhan Turan, chairman of TUSIAD, and Mehmet Omer Arif Aras, head of its High Advisory Council, on February 19 for allegedly spreading misleading information and trying to influence judicial proceedings. After questioning, the court released them on February 20 "under judicial control and imposed travel bans.
CHP Leader Ozel Mocks Government's Efforts to Attract Investors
CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel criticized the government's push for foreign investment on February 20, suggesting the finance minister should use images of businessmen being escorted by police to promote Turkey.
"He might as well sum it up in one slide," Ozel said at a joint press conference with Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) leader Erkan Bas. "He can show the photo of the TUSIAD chairman being held by two police officers and say, 'This is how favourable Turkey's investment environment is.'
Future Party MP Ozbudun Resigns, Party Accuses AK Party of MP Transfers
Antalya MP Serap Yazici Ozbudun, one of the founders of the Future Party, announced her resignation on social media, stating, "I am resigning from the Future Party as I see the need."
Meanwhile, the Future Party declared that it will not attend the AK Party's 8th Regular Congress on February 23. In a statement, the party accused the AK Party of trying to transfer some of its MPs to use them as "show material" for the congress.
AK Party's 8th Regular Congress: New Members Join, Erdogan Re-elected Party Chairman
The 8th Regular Grand Congress of the AK Party took place on February 23, with the participation of President and AK Party Chairman Erdogan.
Former Good Party MPs Unal Karaman and Salim Ensarioglu, as well as former Future Party MP Serap Yazici Ozbudun, who resigned from her party the day before the AK Party congress, officially joined the ruling party. President Erdogan pinned badges on the newly joined MPs.
The congress also appointed the new members of the Central Executive Board (MYK) and Central Decision and Management Board (MKYK). Among the new MKYK members were former Good Party and Future Party members, including Kursad Zorlu, Dursun Atas, Idris Nebi Hatipoglu, Seyithan Izsiz, Unal Karaman, Serap Yazici Ozbudun, and Nedim Yamali.
Former football star Mesut Ozil was also named to the MKYK.
Erdogan was re-elected as the party chairman, receiving 1,547 valid votes in the congress.
DEM Party Meets Kurdish Leaders in Iraq for Peace Talks
A DEM Party delegation met with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil on February 17. Their 90-minute discussion focused on advancing peace talks between Turkey and the PKK.
On February 18, DEM Party representatives met with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani in Sulaymaniyah. Talabani welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed his party's support for a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue in Turkey.
ECONOMY
Turkey's Central Bank Reserves Hit Record High
The Central Bank of Turkey announced its weekly reserves, showing a $5.66 billion increase in one week. Total reserves rose from $167.49 billion to $173.15 billion, reaching a historic high.
Foreign exchange reserves grew from $96.93 billion to $100.68 billion, surpassing $100 billion for the first time in eight years.
Gold reserves also increased from $70.56 billion to $72.47 billion.
Turkey Secures $5 Billion AIIB Funding for Public Projects
Turkey's Finance Ministry announced on February 17 that it signed a deal with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for $5 billion in financing over three years to support public sector projects. The agreement, signed in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia, will fund sustainability and green development projects in energy, transportation, health, and water management.
The ministry also stated that an additional $5 billion will be available in future for private-sector projects in Turkey.
BIM Fined 1.3 Billion TL for Obstructing Inspection
The Competition Authority announced that officials discovered that a manager had deleted data during an on-site inspection at BIM's headquarters on January 14. As a result, the authority ruled that the inspection was obstructed and imposed a fine equal to 0.5% of BIM's turnover, totalling 1.3 billion Turkish Lira.
In response, BIM released a written statement calling the penalty "unjust, unlawful, and unfair." The company argued that the deleted correspondence belonged to an employee on leave, had been recovered, and contained no competition law violations. BIM said it would pursue all legal options once the reasoned decision is officially notified.
German Energy Firm to Sell Majority Stake in Iskenderun Energy
German energy company Steag plans to sell its 51% stake in Iskenderun Energy, Bloomberg reported on February 18. According to sources, Steag, which invested $1.5 billion in the Sugozu thermal power plant, is looking to sell its majority share for around $600 million. The remaining 49% belongs to Oyak, Turkey's military pension fund.
Steag's decision comes amid a wave of German companies leaving Turkey, including construction materials firm Ytong, automotive supplier Linde + Wiemann, and wind turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Mass Detentions in Turkey Target Opposition Figures
Turkish police detained 282 people on February 18 for alleged ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the government announced. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued detention orders linked to an investigation against the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK).
Police carried out counter-terrorism raids in 51 provinces, including Ankara and Istanbul and detained members of various opposition groups, including the DBP, DEM Party, Revolutionary Party, EMEP, ESP, HDK, SYKP, and Green Left Party. Among those detained were journalists Elif Akgul, Ercument Akdeniz, Yildiz Tar, musician Pinar Aydinlar, painter Taner Guven, and scriptwriter Ayse Bengi.
The pro-Kurdish DEM Party criticized the arrests, saying the government was trying to "end hopes for peace in the region" by detaining opposition figures and removing elected mayors.
Thirty people were arrested on suspicion of "escape, hiding, obscuring evidence, and pressuring witnesses," while 13 others were placed under house arrest. Among those detained are journalists Elif Akgül, Yıldız Tar, Ercüment Akdeniz, and artist Pınar Aydınlar, along with painters, musicians, architects, scriptwriters, teachers, and women's rights activists.
353 Detained in Investigation into Restaurant Chain for Alleged Links to Gülen Movement
Turkish police detained 353 people on February 21 as part of an investigation into Maydonoz Doner, a well-known Turkish döner restaurant chain, for alleged connections to the Gulen movement, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced. The investigation, overseen by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, has led to simultaneous operations across 31 provinces.
Among those detained are six business associates of Maydonoz Doner, its employees, and 10 civil servants. The detainees are accused of funneling funds to the movement through the restaurant chain.
The Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) announced in a statement that a court order appointed it as the trustee for 21 companies operating under the brand 'Maydonoz Doner.'
17 Doctors Detained in Istanbul-Based Operation
Police detained 17 doctors in an operation against the Gulen Movement across 10 provinces led by Istanbul authorities. Prosecutors accuse them of collaborating on the Medical Specialization Exam (TUS). During searches at their homes, officials seized digital materials, including mobile phones and computers.
Turkey's Prison Population Grows by Over 50,000 in Seven Months
Turkey's prisons have seen a sharp rise in inmates, with the total number increasing by more than 50,000 in just seven months. On July 1, 2024, there were 342,526 prisoners, while the prison system had a capacity of 295,328. By February 3, 2025, the inmate count had surged to 392,456, exceeding the slightly expanded capacity of 299,940 by 30%.
Official data shows that the prison population includes 371,435 men, 17,131 women, and 3,890 minors. Among them, about 25,000 are university graduates, 1,841 hold master's degrees, and 286 have doctorates.
CoE Rapporteurs Concerned Over Kurdish Mayor's Removal in Turkey
David Eray and Bryony Rudkin, co-rapporteurs of the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, raised concerns about local democracy in Turkey after a Kurdish mayor was removed from office in Van.
They called the dismissal of Zeydan, a member of Turkey's delegation to the congress, a "grave concern" that cannot be ignored. Eray and Rudkin said they will bring the issue to the Congress Monitoring Committee on February 25, 2025, in Strasbourg.
Judge Faces Investigation Over Manager Barim's Release Order
Manager Ayse Barim's lawyer contested her client's arrest in the Gezi Park investigation, leading to a ruling by the Criminal Court of First Instance for her release. However, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office quickly objected to this decision. Before Barim could be freed, the High Criminal Court, agreeing with the prosecutor's objection, ordered her re-arrest.
The Board of Judges and Prosecutors initiated an investigation into the judge who had initially ordered Barim's release.
Farmer Faces Indictment for Insulting the President
The prosecutor's office has prepared an indictment against farmer Sinan Ciftci, who lives in Bursa, for "insulting the President" after he commented in an interview that his products were left in the field and stated, "The farmer's mother is crying today." The prosecutor's office has requested a prison sentence of up to 4 years and 8 months for Ciftci.
FOREIGN POLICY
Erdogan Says Turkey Backs Ukraine's Sovereignty, Zelenskiy Rejects Talks Without Kyiv
President Erdogan said on February 18 that Turkey fully supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Speaking at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara, he stated that Turkey is ready to host future talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US to help end the war.
Earlier, Russian and US delegations met in Riyadh for their first high-level talks since the war began in 2022, agreeing to continue discussions on ending the conflict and improving relations.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said he postponed his planned visit to Saudi Arabia on February 19. He also stated that he was not invited to the meeting between top U.S. and Russian officials, including their foreign ministers.
"We don't want decisions made behind our backs. No one can decide how to end the war without Ukraine," Zelenskiy said.
Lavrov to Visit Turkey Amid US-Russia Talks on Ukraine
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Turkey next week as part of his regional tour. Turkey's Foreign Ministry announced that Lavrov will arrive in Ankara on February 24.
His visit comes as the US and Russia have recently begun direct talks on the Ukraine war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will discuss his country's recent talks with US officials on ending the war in Ukraine and explore how Ankara can contribute to the process, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source said.
Turkey Condemns Cyprus-Egypt Energy Deal
Turkish defense officials have condemned a recent hydrocarbon agreement between Cyprus and Egypt, calling it a threat to regional stability. "Like other agreements that ignore the interests of Turkish Cypriots and restrict their rights, this deal is null and void," defense sources said.
The agreement, signed during Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides' visit to Egypt on February 17, outlines energy cooperation between the two countries and international energy firms.
Iraq Announces Resumption of Oil Exports Through Iraq-Turkey Pipeline
Iraq's oil ministry announced on February 22 that all necessary procedures have been completed to resume exports via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline. The ministry called on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to begin delivering crude to the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) to restart exports.
Iraq's oil minister had previously stated that oil exports from the Kurdistan region would resume the following week. The federal government and the KRG held technical talks to finalize details for the resumption, including a payment mechanism acceptable to oil companies.
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