Key Facts
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has intensified his authoritarian rule since 2013.
• In June 2025, Erdoğan moved to expel nearly half of the opposition CHP lawmakers from parliament.
• The EU views Turkey as a key security partner against Russia’s growing threat.
• The US seeks Turkey’s role in stabilizing Syria, mediating in Ukraine, and addressing Middle East conflicts.
• Erdoğan has manipulated elections to ensure victory, suppressing free speech and media.
• In 2016, Erdoğan used a failed coup attempt to consolidate power and suppress dissent.
• In 2024, Erdoğan’s party suffered a major defeat in local elections, losing key municipalities to the CHP.
• Popular opposition figure Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul’s mayor, was arrested in March 2025 on dubious corruption charges.
• Erdoğan’s government has targeted 61 CHP lawmakers for removal of parliamentary immunity.
• Turkey has strengthened ties with Russia since 2019, including arms purchases and nuclear energy projects.
• The US has restricted F-35 fighter jet sales to Turkey to protect NATO security.
• The EU is urged to suspend customs union negotiations with Turkey to pressure democratic reforms.
Summary
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has systematically dismantled democratic institutions, suppressing opposition and manipulating elections to maintain power. Despite his authoritarian actions, the EU and the US continue to support Turkey due to shared strategic interests, including countering Russia and stabilizing the Middle East. Erdoğan’s crackdown on opposition figures, such as the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, highlights his efforts to eliminate political threats. Meanwhile, Turkey’s growing ties with Russia, including arms deals and nuclear projects, have raised concerns about NATO security. Western nations are urged to impose stricter measures, such as halting F-35 sales and suspending trade negotiations, to pressure Turkey into upholding democratic values.
