Politics
🚨 Court-Appointed Trustee Sparks Crisis in CHP: Gürsel Tekin Expelled
Following a court ruling that annulled the Istanbul CHP congress and dismissed the provincial leadership, Gürsel Tekin was controversially appointed to the interim management board despite previously announcing his resignation from the party. Reports revealed that Tekin renewed his membership by paying dues just one day before the court’s decision, fueling criticism after he accepted the trustee role. In response, CHP leader Özgür Özel declared Tekin’s expulsion from the party, condemning his move as a betrayal at a moment when the opposition faces politically charged judicial interventions.
⚖️ CHP Leader Özgür Özel: Court Ruling Against Party Is “Null and Void”
Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chair Özgür Özel strongly rejected a recent court decision that sought to remove his party’s Istanbul leadership, calling it both legally and politically invalid. Speaking on Halk TV, Özel argued that previous courts had dismissed similar attempts and accused the government of orchestrating the ruling to undermine the opposition. Emphasizing that the CHP—founded by Atatürk—cannot be dismantled through judicial maneuvers, he vowed the party would continue its internal congress schedule as planned. Özel framed the move as a politically motivated attack on Turkish democracy, asserting that Istanbul’s CHP leadership remains in office and fully operational.
🕌 Ali Erbaş Under Fire Again: Nepotism Claims as Nieces and Nephew Appointed to Presidency of Religious Affairs
With his term ending on September 17, Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) President Ali Erbaş has once more drawn criticism for nepotism. After previously appointing his brother-in-law as a senior advisor—a role from which he retired with high benefits despite reportedly never working—Erbaş has now placed his niece Hüda Erbaş in the Diyanet Foundation’s cultural unit and promoted her brother Muhammet from driver to proofreader, a higher-paid position. Meanwhile, Erbaş’s son-in-law was appointed as mufti of Istanbul’s Beykoz district despite lacking the required service record, sparking further outrage over favoritism within the institution.
Economics
⚡ New Stakeholder Expected in Akkuyu Nuclear Plant Amid Financial Struggles
Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant’s operating company, Akkuyu A.Ş, has called an extraordinary general assembly for September 15, raising speculation about the entry of new shareholders to ease its financial troubles. Reports suggest that potential partners will likely be determined through an Ankara-Moscow agreement, as the project faces delays from sanctions, equipment shortages, and contractor debt—most recently a $58 million unpaid liability by subcontractor TSM Enerji. Despite being touted as Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, the project has been marred by financing gaps, worker protests over unpaid wages, and controversies surrounding opaque financial practices, including offshore transactions.
📉 Imports Decline After 11 Months, Trade Deficit Shrinks to 46-Month Low
Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced that Turkey’s foreign trade deficit fell by 16.7% in August 2025, reaching $4.2 billion—the lowest level in 46 months. Exports dipped 0.9% to $21.8 billion, while imports dropped 3.9% to $26 billion, marking the first decline in 11 months and the weakest monthly import figure in 14 months. Despite the short-term narrowing, the 12-month trade deficit rose 11.3% to $87.5 billion, as imports outpaced exports over the year. Key export destinations in August included Germany, the U.S., and the U.K., with automobiles, machinery, and electrical equipment leading the sectoral breakdown.
💳 Debt Crisis Overshadows Erdoğan’s “Rising Turkey” Narrative
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan claimed Turkey is on track to join the World Bank’s high-income category, but new data paints a different picture. According to the World Bank’s 2025 Global Findex Report, 42 out of every 100 adults in Turkey owe money to banks, and the country leads globally in credit card debt, with 70% of account holders carrying balances. While card usage surged due to high interest rates and limited access to loans, one in three adults cannot fully repay their credit card bills. At the same time, savings remain weak, with only 28% of adults holding deposits, and income inequality deepens—leaving Erdoğan’s promises of economic “ascent” far removed from citizens’ financial reality.