The US election, closely watched worldwide, was also followed with great interest in Türkiye. After Donald Trump was elected president, President Erdoğan shared a congratulatory message on social media. Erdoğan’s message read:
“I extend my congratulations to my friend Donald Trump, who has been reelected as the President of the United States after a big struggle. In this new term initiated by the choice of the American people, I hope for strengthened Türkiye-US relations and for an end to ongoing crises and conflicts, particularly the Palestinian issue and the Russia-Ukraine war. I believe there will be increased efforts towards a fairer world. I wish that these elections bring positive outcomes to the American people, who is our friend and ally, and to all of humanity.”
In addition, Erdoğan announced that he held a phone conversation with Trump following his return from the European Summit in Budapest. He said the followings on that:
“Firstly, I hope this election brings positive outcomes for the United States, our region, and the world. Mr. Donald Trump gave a great struggle against numerous challenges during his campaign, including an assassination attempt. Throughout all of this, he continued on his campaign with remarkable strength, unwaveringly and resiliently… This is not a feat every politician could achieve. Early on in the race, the general sentiment was that Kamala Harris would win this election decisively. However, as the final stages approached, the margin began to widen in Trump’s favor. During this process, only Elon Musk stood by him.
When we spoke on the phone, he was having a family dinner. Elon Musk and Musk’s child were also there. We talked about the election process and the cooperation between Türkiye and the United States.”
Erdoğan continued:
“He also expressed positive phrases about Türkiye for the upcoming period. We invited him to visit our country. I hope he comes, and we can strengthen Türkiye-US cooperation in a way that differs from past terms.”
Erdoğan then touched on the F-35 issue:
“We have the F-35 matter with the US. Also, the S-400 issue. During Trump’s previous term, he openly criticized him, saying ‘We paid for it, but you still haven’t provided the planes’. We’ll see what approach we can take on these matters in the new term. As Türkiye, our expectations from our ally, the United States, are clear.
We’re facing numerous challenges, primarily the Palestinian issue and the Russia-Ukraine crisis. With cooperation between Türkiye and the US, we can overcome these.
We’ve worked with Mr. Trump during his previous presidency. Although there were occasional differences of opinion, the model partnership between Türkiye and the US is undebatable.
For instance, we’ll evaluate the topic of US’s troop withdrawal from Syria. How will we end their support for the PKK/PYD/YPG terrorist organization? I believe we’ll establish a foundation for these discussions through direct conversations. Indeed, We have had no difficulty in communication with Mr. Trump. I don’t foresee any difficulties in this regard in the new term. As you know, Trump has pledged to end the conflicts initiated by Israel.”
Trustees to the PKK-affiliated DEM party municipalities
Another significant development last week was the appointment of trustees to the PKK-affiliated DEM Party-run municipalities in districts of Mardin, Batman and Halfeti. Following this appointment, gatherings, marches and events were banned in these districts.
With a decision by the Ministry of the Interior, Mardin Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Türk, Batman Mayor Gülistan Sönük, and Halfeti Mayor Mehmet Karayılan were removed from office. The reason for the decision on Ahmet Türk cited his 10-year prison sentence for membership in an armed terrorist organization, ongoing terrorism cases against him. Mardin Governor Tuncay Akkoyun was appointed in his place. In Batman, Governor Ekrem Canalp replaced Gülistan Sönük, and Halfeti Governor Hakan Başoğlu replaced Mehmet Karayılan.
Both Sönük and Karayılan were removed from office, based on sentences of six years for membership in an armed terrorist organization and ongoing investigations for terror propaganda.
Following the appointments there, DEM Party supporters attempted to confront security forces in some demonstrations.
The leader of the main opposition party, Republican People Party, Özgür Özel, held a joint rally with DEM Party officials in the city of Mardin. Here, Özel expressed support for the removed mayors.
The timing of the trustees was noteworthy, coming after a recent call by Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the ruling coalition partner Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), for PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan to declare the dissolution of the organization with a speech in the Turkish Grand Nation Assembly.
Meanwhile, Bahçeli reiterated his call for Öcalan at a parliamentary group meeting:
“In the Century of Türkiye, terrorism will be eradicated. If the convicted terrorist leader is willing to declare an end to terrorism, to announce the dissolution of the PKK, and to acknowledge that betrayal and separatism are dead ends, then let him come to the parliament and say each of these points clearly. Thus, he can benefit from the right to hope.”
Bahçeli continued, saying: “I stand by my words and insist on my proposal. As taboos and old beliefs are lifted, as the status quo is broken, and as people start to be honest with each other and freely express their true thoughts, it becomes easier to make progress, step by step, from one point of agreement to the next.
(…)
Embracing the Kurds is essential, fighting terrorism is fundamental. Eliminating armed bandits is unavoidable; finding consensus in politics is our mutual benefit.”
President Erdoğan also commented on Bahçeli’ statements:
“Mr. Bahçeli is a leader who always marks history and sets a course with his insightful and wise words. He embodies patriotism, love for the nation, and most importantly, republicanism. Those who read his recent calls within this framework can see a historic opportunity, get inspired.”
Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek visits China
Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek visited Beijing for the second meeting of the Türkiye-China Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee. During his visit, Şimşek met with China’s Finance Minister Lan Fo’an.
Şimşek stated that in a previous meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s summit in Astana, both leaders agreed on revitalizing the Committee mechanism. In line with this consensus of the presidents, the Committee reconvened in Beijing after eight years.
Şimşek emphasized that they aimed at strengthening economic relations and political trust between Türkiye and China in the meetings. In turn, Finance Minister Lan Fo’an expressed China’s readiness to expand the strategic relationship based on the agreements reached between the two presidents: “As China’s Ministry of Finance, we are ready to intensify our collaboration with our Turkish counterparts, deepening cooperation in finance and treasury to positively contribute to a more just, orderly, multipolar world and a more inclusive economic globalization”.