Justice and Development Party
These Turks would rather leave their country than continue living under Erdoğan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan won victory in landmark elections that could hand him near-unchecked power. Erdoğan has overseen a major crackdown on dissent and the press since a failed coup in July 2016 and many Turks told PRI they’d rather leave their country than continue living under a ruler they say has grown increasingly authoritarian.
Selling the candidates in Turkey, one song at a time
Turkey’s elections this weekend will be hotly contested, with dozens of political parties trying to get out the vote. And one of their main tools will be specially-written election songs.Turkey’s elections this weekend will be hotly contested, with dozens of political parties trying to get out the vote. And one of their main tools will be specially-written election songs.
Some in Turkey feel less free now that women are free to wear headscarves
This fall, Turkey’s AKP party ended a law that kept women from wearing Islamic headscarves in some public places. It was supposed to provide more personal freedom. And for some women, it has. But others feel it has emboldened conservatives who want to restrict women’s behavior.
Turkey’s judiciary is threatened as the ruling party lashes out at allegations of corruption
What started as a corruption investigation against family members and business associates of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s inner circle has escalated with purges of the police and prosecutors who are investigating politicians. And the prime minister blames a shadowy religious leader who’s in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania.
Turkish prime minister courts Kurds in bid to establish strong presidency
Turkey is finally starting to acknowledge and accept its large Kurdish minority. After decades of discrimination, the government is moving to include them. But in exchange for that recognition, the Kurds may well be asked to back an expansion of the powers of Turkey’s president.
