1 May Briefing
Turkish police fired tear gas and arrested nearly 400 people in Istanbul on May 1, including union officials and opposition figures, as thousands rallied across Turkey amid high inflation and the political crackdown that began with last year's pre-emptive arrests of leftist activists.
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Turkish police arrest nearly 400 in Istanbul May Day crackdown; Workers' Party leader Erkan Bas pepper-sprayed
Turkish police arrested nearly 400 people in Istanbul on May 1 during May Day demonstrations, according to figures from the CHD Lawyers Association cited by AFP, with riot-control vehicles firing tear gas into crowds in the Mecidiyekoey and Besiktas districts. Turkish Workers' Party president Erkan Bas was filmed engulfed in pepper spray; union official Basaran Aksu was arrested moments after denouncing the police lockdown of Taksim Square. Earlier in the week Turkish authorities had issued arrest warrants against 62 people, of whom 46 -- including journalists, trade unionists and opposition figures -- were assessed as "likely to carry out attacks". In Ankara, about 100 coal miners completing a nine-day hunger strike over wage arrears joined the May Day march under heavy police presence. The day's demonstrations were called under the slogan "Bread. Peace. Freedom." Inflation in Turkey is officially measured at 30 percent but is estimated at closer to 40 percent by independent analysts. Last year's May Day protests, which moved to the Kadikoey area after the same Taksim lockdown, also ended with more than 400 arrests.
Turkey's Baykar unveils three kamikaze drones that may outclass Iran's Shahed, experts say
Turkish drone maker Baykar has introduced three new kamikaze drones – K2, Sivrisinek and Mizrak – that experts say could outclass Iran's Shahed series in autonomous capabilities and swarm tactics.
Turkey files criminal complaint against Sweden-based FETÖ suspect in 2016 assassination of Russian ambassador
Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has filed a criminal complaint against Abdullah Bozkurt, a Sweden-based suspect linked to the Gülenist Terrorist Group (FETÖ), for his alleged role in the 2016 assassination of Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov in Ankara.
Turkey establishes parliamentary commission to investigate school attacks and social media impact
A 22-member parliamentary commission has been formed in Turkey to investigate recent deadly school attacks in Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa, examining security, education, family life, social media and the wider social environment, commission chair Yusuf Beyazıt said.
All Events
Every other event tracked in Turkey, with a one-line preview.
tr38Turkish President Erdogan Holds Diplomatic Talks with 27 Leaders in April
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan engaged in extensive diplomatic outreach in April 2026, holding talks with 27 foreign leaders and officials. Key discussions focused on regional tensions in the Middle East, Iran, Ukraine, and Syria. Erdogan hosted the Antalya Diplomacy Forum from April 17-19, which attracted 6,400 participants from 150 countries, including 23 heads of state, positioning Turkey as a mediator and dialogue venue. He held separate calls with US President Trump, Iranian President Pezeshkian, French President Macron, German President Steinmeier, Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez, Canadian Prime Minister Carney, and Hungarian prime minister-elect Magyar. At the forum, he met with leaders from Qatar, Azerbaijan, Syria, Pakistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, Moldova, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Burundi, Libya, Georgia, and the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government. He also met separately with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to support peace efforts, urging de-escalation and offering Turkey's facilitation role in conflicts.
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Turkish President Erdogan Holds Diplomatic Talks with 27 Leaders in April
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan engaged in extensive diplomatic outreach in April 2026, holding talks with 27 foreign leaders and officials. Key discussions focused on regional tensions in the Middle East, Iran, Ukraine, and Syria. Erdogan hosted the Antalya Diplomacy Forum from April 17-19, which attracted 6,400 participants from 150 countries, including 23 heads of state, positioning Turkey as a mediator and dialogue venue. He held separate calls with US President Trump, Iranian President Pezeshkian, French President Macron, German President Steinmeier, Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez, Canadian Prime Minister Carney, and Hungarian prime minister-elect Magyar. At the forum, he met with leaders from Qatar, Azerbaijan, Syria, Pakistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, Moldova, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Burundi, Libya, Georgia, and the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government. He also met separately with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to support peace efforts, urging de-escalation and offering Turkey's facilitation role in conflicts.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan engaged in extensive diplomatic outreach in April 2026, holding talks with 27 foreign leaders and officials. Key discussions focused on regional tensions in the Middle East, Iran, Ukraine, and Syria. Erdogan hosted the Antalya Diplomacy Forum from April 17-19, which attracted 6,400 participants from 150 countries, including 23 heads of state, positioning Turkey as a mediator and dialogue venue. He held separate calls with US President Trump, Iranian President Pezeshkian, French President Macron, German President Steinmeier, Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez, Canadian Prime Minister Carney, and Hungarian prime minister-elect Magyar. At the forum, he met with leaders from Qatar, Azerbaijan, Syria, Pakistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, Moldova, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Burundi, Libya, Georgia, and the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government. He also met separately with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to support peace efforts, urging de-escalation and offering Turkey's facilitation role in conflicts.
tr35Turkey reports $300 million in Q1 2026 wind energy investments, targets 2.5 GW annual installations
Turkey invested approximately $300 million in wind energy in the first quarter of 2026, adding over 300 MW of capacity. The Turkish Wind Energy Association expects annual installations to reach 2.5 GW this year, driven by renewable energy targets and the YEKA tender scheme, which aims to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. The country was the second-largest installer of new wind capacity in Europe last year, and industry officials project installations could rise to 4-5 GW by 2028-2029.
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Turkey reports $300 million in Q1 2026 wind energy investments, targets 2.5 GW annual installations
Turkey invested approximately $300 million in wind energy in the first quarter of 2026, adding over 300 MW of capacity. The Turkish Wind Energy Association expects annual installations to reach 2.5 GW this year, driven by renewable energy targets and the YEKA tender scheme, which aims to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. The country was the second-largest installer of new wind capacity in Europe last year, and industry officials project installations could rise to 4-5 GW by 2028-2029.
Turkey invested approximately $300 million in wind energy in the first quarter of 2026, adding over 300 MW of capacity. The Turkish Wind Energy Association expects annual installations to reach 2.5 GW this year, driven by renewable energy targets and the YEKA tender scheme, which aims to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. The country was the second-largest installer of new wind capacity in Europe last year, and industry officials project installations could rise to 4-5 GW by 2028-2029.
tr33Record renewable output drives Turkish wholesale power prices to historic lows
Record electricity generation from renewables, particularly hydropower and solar, has pushed Turkish wholesale power prices to historic lows, averaging $23.4 per megawatt-hour in April 2026, a 64% year-on-year decline. Zero-price periods increased to 95 hours in April. While this helps reduce energy import costs amid the Iran conflict, it creates financial stress for hydropower operators, who are calling for support mechanisms and grid flexibility measures.
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Record renewable output drives Turkish wholesale power prices to historic lows
Record electricity generation from renewables, particularly hydropower and solar, has pushed Turkish wholesale power prices to historic lows, averaging $23.4 per megawatt-hour in April 2026, a 64% year-on-year decline. Zero-price periods increased to 95 hours in April. While this helps reduce energy import costs amid the Iran conflict, it creates financial stress for hydropower operators, who are calling for support mechanisms and grid flexibility measures.
Record electricity generation from renewables, particularly hydropower and solar, has pushed Turkish wholesale power prices to historic lows, averaging $23.4 per megawatt-hour in April 2026, a 64% year-on-year decline. Zero-price periods increased to 95 hours in April. While this helps reduce energy import costs amid the Iran conflict, it creates financial stress for hydropower operators, who are calling for support mechanisms and grid flexibility measures.
tr30Global Labour Day rallies demand workers' rights amid Iran war and economic crisis
Workers worldwide held International Labour Day rallies on May 1, with major demonstrations in Istanbul, Paris, and across South America. Unions protested the US-Israeli war on Iran and rising energy prices, demanding higher wages and economic relief. In Gaza, events were cancelled due to the economic crisis from Israel's war. The European Trade Union Confederation warned that working people refuse to pay for Trump's Middle East war. The rallies reflect growing global recession fears and income inequality.
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Global Labour Day rallies demand workers' rights amid Iran war and economic crisis
Workers worldwide held International Labour Day rallies on May 1, with major demonstrations in Istanbul, Paris, and across South America. Unions protested the US-Israeli war on Iran and rising energy prices, demanding higher wages and economic relief. In Gaza, events were cancelled due to the economic crisis from Israel's war. The European Trade Union Confederation warned that working people refuse to pay for Trump's Middle East war. The rallies reflect growing global recession fears and income inequality.
Workers worldwide held International Labour Day rallies on May 1, with major demonstrations in Istanbul, Paris, and across South America. Unions protested the US-Israeli war on Iran and rising energy prices, demanding higher wages and economic relief. In Gaza, events were cancelled due to the economic crisis from Israel's war. The European Trade Union Confederation warned that working people refuse to pay for Trump's Middle East war. The rallies reflect growing global recession fears and income inequality.
tr28Erdoğan pledges to protect workers' rights in May Day speech
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted a May Day reception at the Presidential Complex, vowing to safeguard workers' rights and highlighting reforms in trade union rights, collective bargaining, and occupational health and safety. He emphasized the government's commitment to social justice and workers. Meanwhile, union leaders held separate ceremonies in Istanbul's Taksim Square, including wreath-laying and commemorations for those who died in the 1977 May Day events, underscoring nationwide participation in May Day observances.
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Erdoğan pledges to protect workers' rights in May Day speech
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted a May Day reception at the Presidential Complex, vowing to safeguard workers' rights and highlighting reforms in trade union rights, collective bargaining, and occupational health and safety. He emphasized the government's commitment to social justice and workers. Meanwhile, union leaders held separate ceremonies in Istanbul's Taksim Square, including wreath-laying and commemorations for those who died in the 1977 May Day events, underscoring nationwide participation in May Day observances.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted a May Day reception at the Presidential Complex, vowing to safeguard workers' rights and highlighting reforms in trade union rights, collective bargaining, and occupational health and safety. He emphasized the government's commitment to social justice and workers. Meanwhile, union leaders held separate ceremonies in Istanbul's Taksim Square, including wreath-laying and commemorations for those who died in the 1977 May Day events, underscoring nationwide participation in May Day observances.
tr23Turkey raises tax deduction to 100% for high-value services exports
Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek announced a new tax incentive package that raises the tax deduction to 100% for high-value-added services exports, including software, gaming, and health tourism, provided earnings are fully repatriated. The measure aims to strengthen Turkey's services trade surplus and reduce the goods trade deficit.
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Turkey raises tax deduction to 100% for high-value services exports
Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek announced a new tax incentive package that raises the tax deduction to 100% for high-value-added services exports, including software, gaming, and health tourism, provided earnings are fully repatriated. The measure aims to strengthen Turkey's services trade surplus and reduce the goods trade deficit.
Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek announced a new tax incentive package that raises the tax deduction to 100% for high-value-added services exports, including software, gaming, and health tourism, provided earnings are fully repatriated. The measure aims to strengthen Turkey's services trade surplus and reduce the goods trade deficit.
tr18Türkiye expands maternity leave with new 8-week extension rule
Türkiye introduced a regulation allowing certain mothers to claim an additional eight weeks of maternity leave if they meet specific criteria, retroactively applying to those who gave birth on or after October 16, 2025. The policy, announced by Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, applies to mothers who are within 24 weeks postpartum as of April 1, 2026. Eligible mothers must apply to their employer within 10 working days from the regulation's effective date. The policy is part of the government's 'Family and Population Decade' initiative aimed at supporting birth rates and improving work-life balance.
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Türkiye expands maternity leave with new 8-week extension rule
Türkiye introduced a regulation allowing certain mothers to claim an additional eight weeks of maternity leave if they meet specific criteria, retroactively applying to those who gave birth on or after October 16, 2025. The policy, announced by Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, applies to mothers who are within 24 weeks postpartum as of April 1, 2026. Eligible mothers must apply to their employer within 10 working days from the regulation's effective date. The policy is part of the government's 'Family and Population Decade' initiative aimed at supporting birth rates and improving work-life balance.
Türkiye introduced a regulation allowing certain mothers to claim an additional eight weeks of maternity leave if they meet specific criteria, retroactively applying to those who gave birth on or after October 16, 2025. The policy, announced by Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, applies to mothers who are within 24 weeks postpartum as of April 1, 2026. Eligible mothers must apply to their employer within 10 working days from the regulation's effective date. The policy is part of the government's 'Family and Population Decade' initiative aimed at supporting birth rates and improving work-life balance.
tr15Turkish MHP schedules 15th ordinary congress for March 2027
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), a key ally of Turkey's ruling AK Party, has announced its 15th Ordinary Grand Congress will be held on March 7, 2027, with local conventions beginning May 7, 2026. The congress will shape the party's leadership and policy direction. The announcement also highlighted the party's role in the 'terror-free Türkiye' initiative aimed at ending PKK terrorism, which has seen the PKK announce its dissolution in response to a call by its imprisoned leader.
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Turkish MHP schedules 15th ordinary congress for March 2027
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), a key ally of Turkey's ruling AK Party, has announced its 15th Ordinary Grand Congress will be held on March 7, 2027, with local conventions beginning May 7, 2026. The congress will shape the party's leadership and policy direction. The announcement also highlighted the party's role in the 'terror-free Türkiye' initiative aimed at ending PKK terrorism, which has seen the PKK announce its dissolution in response to a call by its imprisoned leader.
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), a key ally of Turkey's ruling AK Party, has announced its 15th Ordinary Grand Congress will be held on March 7, 2027, with local conventions beginning May 7, 2026. The congress will shape the party's leadership and policy direction. The announcement also highlighted the party's role in the 'terror-free Türkiye' initiative aimed at ending PKK terrorism, which has seen the PKK announce its dissolution in response to a call by its imprisoned leader.
tr5Turkey designates new sensitive protected zones in Mount Ararat National Park
Turkey's president issued a decree designating new 'sensitive zones' within Mount Ararat National Park, adding stricter environmental protections to selected areas in Ağrı and Iğdır provinces. The move aims to preserve the fragile alpine ecosystem, prevent unregulated development, and protect biodiversity in the region, which holds ecological, geological, and cultural significance.
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Turkey designates new sensitive protected zones in Mount Ararat National Park
Turkey's president issued a decree designating new 'sensitive zones' within Mount Ararat National Park, adding stricter environmental protections to selected areas in Ağrı and Iğdır provinces. The move aims to preserve the fragile alpine ecosystem, prevent unregulated development, and protect biodiversity in the region, which holds ecological, geological, and cultural significance.
Turkey's president issued a decree designating new 'sensitive zones' within Mount Ararat National Park, adding stricter environmental protections to selected areas in Ağrı and Iğdır provinces. The move aims to preserve the fragile alpine ecosystem, prevent unregulated development, and protect biodiversity in the region, which holds ecological, geological, and cultural significance.