2024 was a painful year for both the world and Turkey, but Turkey surpassed many countries in challenges such as poverty, polarization, lawlessness, and an oppressive regime. The two most striking events in the first quarter of 2024 were the local elections held on March 31 and the effective sidelining of the Constitutional Court.
The government continued its efforts to punish those it perceived as obstacles, especially those connected to the Gezi protests 12 years ago. Disregarding the Constitutional Court’s ruling and the explicit provisions of the Constitution, the Supreme Court of Appeals refused to release TİP MP Can Atalay. Parliament followed suit by stripping Atalay of his parliamentary seat.
The opposition’s failure to react decisively to this initial act of an increasingly oppressive and unlawful regime encouraged the government to take even harsher steps. Under the banner of “normalization” and “softening” policies, the new CHP leadership offered the AKP-MHP alliance the opportunity to shift the political agenda, thereby opening the door to intensified repression, particularly targeting Kurds and other opposition groups. While Turkey entered the second half of the year hopeful after local election victories, it ended 2024 in a state of deep pessimism and widespread dissatisfaction.
The opposition’s timid and submissive stance resulted in the removal of elected mayors and their replacement with appointed bureaucrats, leading to an unprecedented level of pressure on the media and civil society. In the first quarter of 2024, workplace disasters leading to worker fatalities and the outcry from retirees and workers who said, “We can’t make ends meet,” reflected the growing discontent at the ballot box. Turkey resembled a critically ill patient suffering from high blood sugar, hypertension, kidney failure, and heart disease—yet determined not to follow the advice of expert doctors.
The regime’s only rational move during this period was appointing competent and market-savvy individuals to lead the Central Bank. The Central Bank, striving to curb inflation by stabilizing the exchange rate, managed to turn previously negative reserves into positive territory—its most notable success—despite receiving no support from fiscal policies. However, the slower-than-inflation rise in the exchange rate triggered crises and bankruptcies across several sectors, especially in textiles and tourism. Meanwhile, we witnessed the fading of the F-16 purchase from the U.S. agenda, the eventual approval of Sweden’s NATO membership after prolonged delays despite intense rhetoric, and the government’s persistent use of anti-terror narratives.
A new development occurred in the investigation of the assassination of Associate Professor Necip Hablemitoğlu from Ankara University. One of the suspects, Nuri Gökhan Bozkır—linked to the Ergenekon network—was apprehended on January 2, 2024. However, his capture did not help clarify the case, which was left to stagnate.
As the Constitutional Court neared the end of its term, its President Zühtü Arslan publicly condemned the non-enforcement of its rulings in a speech on January 12, stating, “There can be no justification for failing to implement Constitutional Court decisions. Disregarding such rulings undermines the right to individual application.”
During the Pençe-Kilit military operation, initially planned to conclude in July, twelve soldiers lost their lives. On January 12, their coffins were sent to their hometowns in a ceremony held in Şırnak, attended by Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.
Turkey eventually approved Sweden’s NATO membership, which had long been a topic of political bargaining. The decision was published in the Legal Gazette on January 25. A day later, President Erdoğan commented on the development, saying, “Biden has sent our decision to the House of Representatives. We are now awaiting their response, which will pave the way for the delivery and maintenance process of F-16s to Turkey. Our actions have shown Turkey’s firm stance to Canada, Sweden, and all Western countries.”
A draw was held to determine the order of political parties on the ballot for the local elections, and as in previous elections, the AKP once again secured the first position in the draw held on January 27.
Late January and early February saw Istanbul witness two terrorist attacks. On January 28, during Sunday mass at the Santa Maria Italian Church in Sarıyer, two masked attackers opened fire, resulting in the death of a participant named C.T. On February 7, a planned terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Çağlayan Courthouse was thwarted by security forces at a police checkpoint. The two attackers—one male and one female—were neutralized in a successful operation. Seven people, including three police officers, were injured in the attack.
On February 13, another tragic workplace disaster occurred in Turkey. In Erzincan’s İliç district, a landslide at a gold mine operated by a Canadian company buried nine workers under debris.
On March 8, President Erdoğan declared that the upcoming local elections would be his final under current law, stating, “According to the authority granted by law, this will be my last election. But the outcome will be a legacy passed on to my successors. Therefore, we must make our preparations accordingly and take the necessary steps so that on the evening of March 31, we can give a decisive answer to our opponents.”
However, on March 17, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli responded to Erdoğan’s statement, saying, “I am addressing our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: you cannot step down. The Turkish nation cannot be left alone. As the People’s Alliance, we stand by you. We want to see you as the savior leader of this new century.”
The most striking example of Turkey’s worsening income inequality and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few came from a report released by China. According to the “Global Billionaires List” published by the China-based Hurun Report, and featured in Turkish media on March 28, New York and London host the highest number of dollar billionaires worldwide. For the first time, Turkey ranked among the top 25 countries globally and entered the top 5 in Europe.
On Sunday, March 31, Turkey went to the polls to elect its local governments. The AKP suffered an unexpected defeat at the ballot box, while the CHP secured victories in most major metropolitan areas, including Istanbul, İzmir, and Ankara. In this election, the CHP managed to surpass the 25% vote ceiling it had been stuck at for years, while both the AKP and the İYİ Party experienced significant declines in their vote shares. Acknowledging the defeat, President Erdoğan remarked, “This is not an end for us, but a turning point.”
With 37.47% of the vote in the March 31 local elections, the CHP emerged as the leading party for the first time since the 1977 elections, when it had secured 41.38%. The AKP, for the first time in its history, was relegated to second place, receiving 35.49% of the vote. According to unofficial results, the CHP received 17,345,876 votes, accounting for 37.74%, while the AKP secured 16,313,661 votes, making up 35.49%. The Yeniden Refah Party came in third with 2,845,553 votes and a 6.19% share. Other parties followed, with the Saadet Party receiving 1.73%, DEVA Party 1.09%, HÜDA-Par 0.55%, BBP 0.43%, and DEV A Party securing 0.33% of the vote.
The AKP’s first intervention in the local election resulted heightened tensions in Van. However, the Supreme Electoral Council (YSK) accepted an appeal from the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) on April 3, overturning a controversial decision by the Van Provincial Election Board. The initial decision declared Abdullah Zeydan, the elected mayor of Van Metropolitan Municipality, “ineligible” and planned to hand the mayoral certificate to the runner-up. The YSK ruled in favor of Zeydan, reinstating him as the rightful winner.
On the same day, Istanbul was shaken by a fire disaster. A blaze broke out during renovations in the basement of a 16-story building housing a nightclub in Beşiktaş, resulting in the deaths of 29 people and leaving one person critically injured.
On April 9, the Trade Minister announced an embargo on Israel, a decision that later sparked significant controversy and was revealed to have been largely symbolic and not fully enforced.
On May 1, Taksim Square was once again closed to workers during Labor Day celebrations, continuing a policy in place since the AKP came to power. CHP leader Özgür Özel, who had declared “We will march to Taksim,” made a statement alongside Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in Saraçhane before dispersing. Nationwide, 226 people were detained during the events.
On May 2, President Erdoğan and CHP leader Özgür Özel held a meeting at the AKP headquarters. The meeting lasted for 1 hour and 35 minutes. Sources reported that President Erdoğan thanked Özel for his stance during the night of July 15, while Özel responded, “I never thought it was theater.”
On May 7, CHP leader Özgür Özel also visited MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli at his office in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. This meeting lasted for 45 minutes.
The verdict in the Kobani Trial, involving former HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, was delivered on May 16 at Ankara Sincan’s 22nd High Criminal Court. According to the ruling, Mardin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Türk was sentenced to 10 years in prison for “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” Former HDP Central Executive Board member Ali Ürküt received 13 years and 4 months for “aiding in disrupting the unity of the state and the integrity of the country” and an additional 4 years and 6 months for “incitement to commit crimes.” Alp Altınörs was sentenced to 18 years and 4 years and 6 months for the same charges, while Bülent Barmaksız received 16 years and 4 years and 6 months. Former HDP MP Ayla Akat Ata was sentenced to 9 years and 9 months, and Emine Ayna received 10 years for “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” Former Party Assembly members Ayşe Yağcı and Aynur Aşan were each sentenced to 9 years. Ayla Akat Ata and Ayşe Yağcı were released after the verdict.
Former HDP MPs Aysel Tuğluk, Altan Tan, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Ayhan Bilgen, and defendants Berfin Özgü Köse, Bircan Yorulmaz, Can Memiş, and Emine Beyza Üstün were acquitted of all charges. Gültan Kışanak was sentenced to 12 years for “membership in a terrorist organization” but was released considering the time already served in prison. Selahattin Demirtaş, who faced 47 charges, received a total sentence of 42 years, while Figen Yüksekdağ was sentenced to 30 years and 3 months. Sabahat Tuncel was acquitted of “disrupting the unity and integrity of the state” but was sentenced to 12 years for “membership in a terrorist organization.” She was released based on time already served.
On June 3, the policy of appointing trustees to replace elected mayors, first implemented after the July 15 coup attempt, was reinstated. The first target was Hakkari. The city’s mayor, Mehmet Sıddık Akış, was detained in Van as part of an investigation by the Hakkari Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Following his arrest by Van police forces, the governor of Hakkari was appointed as a trustee to replace Akış.
President Erdoğan visited the CHP headquarters for the first time in 18 years. On June 11, Erdoğan met with CHP leader Özgür Özel. During the visit, a flag bearing the presidential emblem was hoisted in front of the CHP headquarters. Özgür Özel personally welcomed Erdoğan at the entrance, where they shook hands and posed for the press before heading inside. The meeting lasted for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The second half of the year saw the regime hardening its stance, coinciding with an ambiguous Kurdish initiative. During this period, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli made headlines with his call for Abdullah Öcalan to be allowed to speak in Parliament. At a time when Erdoğan was facing significant internal pressures, the unexpected fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad provided a much-needed boost for him.
The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran by Israel sparked widespread outrage in Turkey, with strong reactions coming from President Erdoğan down to the head of the Directorate of Religious Affairs, Ali Erbaş. On July 3, mosques across Turkey recited a special prayer (sela) for Haniyeh, and a national day of mourning was declared on August 1.
On October 15, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, during his party’s group meeting, directly addressed Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, calling on him to “declare unilaterally that terrorism has ended and that his organization has been dissolved.” Bahçeli also referenced Öcalan’s statement made upon his capture in Nairobi, Kenya, in February 1999—when he was brought back to Turkey—where Öcalan had said, “I love my country. My mother was Turkish. If I am given the opportunity to serve, I will do so. I will dedicate myself to serving Turkey upon my return.” Bahçeli urged Öcalan to issue clear instructions to the PKK.
Fethullah Gülen, the founder of the Gülen Movement, passed away on October 21 in Pennsylvania, United States, where he had been living since the post-modern coup of February 28, 1997. Gülen died at the age of 86. He had long been accused by Turkey of being the primary orchestrator of the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, and a red notice had been issued for his arrest. However, the U.S. Department of Justice repeatedly rejected Turkey’s extradition requests, citing insufficient evidence provided by Ankara.
More than 30 operations were carried out against the Gülen movement in 2024. During these operations, items belonging to movement members—including money, books, phones, and computers—were seized. The scope of these operations ranged from 14-year-old high school students to 80-year-old retired philanthropists.
Thousands of Gülen movement members were arrested on charges such as reading books, praying, studying together, going to the movies, having meals together, and assisting those in need.
On October 23, a terrorist attack targeted the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) facilities in Ankara’s Kahramankazan district. The attack, carried out by two assailants—a man and a woman—was claimed by the PKK. Four people lost their lives, and both attackers were killed during the incident.
The practice of appointing government trustees hit the CHP on October 30. The CHP mayor of Istanbul’s Esenyurt district, Ahmet Özer, was accused of being a member of the PKK. He was detained and sent to prison following a court hearing, and a government-appointed trustee was installed in his place.
On November 20, National Intelligence Organization (MİT) chief İbrahim Kalın, along with his delegation, visited the CHP headquarters and met with CHP leader Özgür Özel and his team. During the meeting, Kalın and his delegation gave a briefing on the activities and potential threats posed by terrorist organizations.
On the morning of November 4, a new wave of trustee appointments swept through Kurdish-majority regions. Government-appointed trustees replaced the elected mayors of Mardin, Batman, and Halfeti, all from the DEM Party. Mardin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Türk was removed from office for the third time. The wave of trustee appointments continued at full speed. On November 22, the Interior Ministry announced the appointment of trustees to the municipalities of Tunceli and Ovacık. The ministry justified the move by citing alleged “terror affiliations” of Tunceli Mayor Cevdet Konak and Ovacık Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül, leading to their suspension.
On November 26, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli made a statement during his party’s group meeting. Emphasizing his party’s steadfastness, Bahçeli declared, “The MHP stands behind every word it says.” He added, “We expect communication between Abdullah Öcalan and the DEM Party group to take place. The meeting between Öcalan and the DEM Party should not be delayed.”
On December 8, news that pleased President Erdoğan came from Syria. Opposition forces entered the center of Damascus after the Bashar al-Assad regime lost control of the capital. Celebrations broke out among Syrians in Damascus, and Ankara quickly sent messages of support for the Islamist forces that had overthrown Assad.
Pressure on CHP-run municipalities intensified in December. On December 16, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security announced that it had initiated foreclosure proceedings against the municipalities of Adana, Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin, and Şişli. The ministry stated that these six heavily indebted municipalities faced foreclosure orders totaling 11.7 billion Turkish Lira due to outstanding debts.
Turkey entered the final week of the year with yet another tragic workplace accident. On December 25, an explosion occurred at a factory producing explosives in Balıkesir’s Karesi district. The blast killed 11 people—8 women and 3 men.
On December 28, DEM Party members Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder visited Abdullah Öcalan on İmralı Island with permission from the Ministry of Justice. The meeting lasted for two hours. A day later, the DEM Party released a written statement highlighting Öcalan’s remarks from the meeting.
