Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Informed source to Al Mayadeen: SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi demands that al-Sharaa approve the establishment of an autonomous region similar to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Israeli media: Three drones launched from Yemen toward Eilat in span of 20 minutes.
Qatari Foreign Ministry: "Israel" should have already ceased fire under Trump plan for Gaza
Qatari Foreign Ministry: Release of Israeli captives will mark end of war in Gaza in accordance with Trump plan.
Israeli media: Security incident in Gaza Strip classified as serious results in six wounded soldiers so far, two critically injured.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle in Deir Ames, Tyre governorate.
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Final toll from airstrike on car in Zebdine, Nabatieh District: Two martyrs, four injured
Egyptian media: Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelis begin in Sharm el-Sheikh.
AFP: France's new PM Sebastein Lecornu resigns just hours after unveiling cabinet.
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week

Erdogan is isolating Turkey from EU, Opposition leader says

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 5 Apr 2025 22:06
3 Min Read

In response to the recent crackdowns on protesters, the Council of Europe has announced an urgent fact-finding mission to Turkey, citing concerns over "democratic backsliding."

Listen
  • x
  • Ozgur Ozel, an opposition lawmaker from Soma area, speaks to the media outside a local courthouse in coal miners' town of Soma, Turkey, Sunday, May 18, 2014.
    Ozgur Ozel speaks to the media outside a local courthouse in coal miners' town of Soma, Turkey, Sunday, May 18, 2014. (AP)

The leader of Turkey's main opposition party, the  Republican People's Party (CHP), has warned that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is actively driving the country further from its European partners, both politically and diplomatically.

In a video published by Turkish broadcaster Haberturk on social media platform X, CHP chair Ozgur Ozel voiced concern over recent diplomatic cancellations tied to the growing unrest within Turkey. "I say this with regret: the visits of a number of members of the European Parliament to Turkey in April were canceled [following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor], the meetings of European officials with the Turkish Foreign Minister [Hakan Fidan] at the upcoming Antalya Diplomacy Forum were canceled. I am dismayed by this. Erdogan's policy is distancing Turkey from Europe, from the democratic league," he said.

Ozel's statement comes in the wake of the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19—a leading opposition figure and potential challenger to Erdogan. The government claims Imamoglu is under investigation in connection with a network accused of corruption and bribery, but his supporters have dismissed the charges as politically motivated.

The arrest has triggered nationwide protests, with demonstrators defying official bans on rallies to demand Imamoglu's release and denounce the perceived erosion of democratic rights. Dozens have been detained, and authorities have launched investigations into those calling for economic boycotts or solidarity strikes. The CHP has announced it will hold weekly protests until new elections are called.

Related News

Mass rallies in Turkey in show support for Gaza

Tom Barrack, disrupting decades of diplomatic practice: FT

The crackdown has also drawn international attention. The Council of Europe has announced an urgent fact-finding mission to Turkey, citing concerns over "democratic backsliding." European Union officials have criticized the mass arrests and called on Ankara to respect civil liberties and the rule of law.

Read more: EU faces dilemma between supporting and condemning Turkiye: Politico

Turkey's relations with the EU have long been troubled. Though the country signed an association agreement with the bloc's predecessor in 1963 and formally applied for membership in 1987, talks have stalled for years. Since the formal start of negotiations in 2005, only 16 of 35 accession chapters have been opened. In September 2023, Erdogan publicly stated that Turkey could walk away from its EU aspirations if necessary.

While Erdogan has at times described EU membership as a strategic priority, critics argue that ongoing political repression, limits on press freedom, and the suppression of opposition figures like Imamoglu run counter to the democratic standards required for accession.

The most recent protest saw over two million people take to the streets of Istanbul on March 29, in one of the largest demonstrations in Turkey's recent history, demanding the release of İmamoglu and calling for early elections.

  • Turkey
  • Ekrem Imamoglu
  • ozgur ozel
  • Erdogan
  • European Union

Most Read

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
ap

'Israel' pays influencers $7K per post to whitewash Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Hezbollah's representative in Iran, Sayyed Abdullah Safieddine, during an interview with Al Mayadeen which aired on October 6, 2025 (Al Mayadeen)
Politics

Tehran never interferes in Hezbollah decisions: Representative in Iran

Smoke billows over the Gaza Strip following an Israeli bombardment, as seen from southern Palestine, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Indirect talks for a ceasefire in Gaza begin in Sharm El-Sheikh

Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to attend a military parad in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Security forces seal Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh districts

Amsterdam Captain Mohammed Ali Mohiuddin, who took part in the Global Sumud mission to Gaza, talks to Al Mayadeen on October 6, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

GSF captain says despite abuse, 'Israel weaker than spider's web'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS