Photo : REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
TÜRKIYE
Istanbul Municipal government elects member of the Republican People’s Party as interim Mayor amid protests
On 26 March, the Istanbul Municipal government elected Nuri Aslan as an interim mayor to replace Ekrem İmamoğlu. Aslan, a member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), was chosen to hold the seat until the end of the term. In the first round of voting, Aslan won 173 votes while President Recep Tayyip Erdroğan's Justice and Development Party (AK Party) candidate Zeynel Abidin Okul won 123. In the second round of voting, Aslan received 177 votes and Okul received only 125. CHP chairperson Özgür Özel said the interim mayoral election had blocked Erdogan’s push to appoint a trustee at the municipality. Özel said, “The struggle will expand to all of Türkiye from now on, but one leg will be in Istanbul and one hand will be on Sarachane.” Özel added that the resistance from the public had thwarted what the opposition calls a “coup attempt” against it. Aslan, speaking alongside Özel, reiterated his new position was temporary. He added: “Our mayor elected with the votes of Istanbul will come back as soon as possible, along with the chairman will take care of what he entrusted us with and give it back to him.” The head of the main opposition said that the protests will continue in every city until either an early presidential election takes place, or the jailed mayor is released from prison. Özel said that the protests will take place all over the country, which will include a very large demonstration this Saturday. This will open Turkey’s next president in elections that are due in 2028. Özel declared: “In every city we go, we will have the biggest rallies in history...The belief that Ekrem İmamoğlu and in democracy will make the protests bigger and stronger. (“Istanbul elects Aslan interim mayor amid ongoing protests over Imamoglu” Al Jazeera, 26 March 2025)
EU accuses President Erdoğan of overseeing the erosion of democracy
The ties between the EU and Türkiye have been considered complicated. Ankara remains (on paper) a candidate for EU membership and as NATO allies, most EU states and Türkiye have pledged to protect each other in cases of attack. The EU has accused President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of overseeing an erosion of democracy and prompting a standstill in its EU membership. The EU issued a statement condemning: “Unnecessary and indiscriminate force by security forces against peaceful demonstrators in Türkiye.” While Erdoğan said that these widespread protests were a movement of violence. France’s foreign minister has branded the incarnation of İmamoğlu and the others as serious attacks on democracy. Germany's government responded and warned that political opponents don’t belong in jails or courts. European Commission Spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said: “The arrest of Mayor İmamoğlu and the protestors give rise to questions regarding Türkiye’s adherence to its long-established democracy.” Senior Analyst of the European Policy Centre Amanda Paul said: “There is a clear reason for that, it is a reflection of the new geopolitical situation we are all living in.” The comeback of US President Donald Trump has prompted a radical rethinking of European defence as governments race to rely less on the US and envisage a future without Washington’s protection. Türkiye’s military is second to the US in the NATO and the country’s geographic position facing Ukraine and Russia across the Black Sea, gives it a geopolitical weight that many countries in the region don’t have, also Türkiye’s defence industry has a lot to offer the EU at the time when there were significant shortages of weapons. Paul also added that Ankarahas been at the heart of the ‘coalition of the willing’ a group of European states brainstorming ways to shore up an eventual peace deal with Ukraine in a bid to gain leverage and influence over the US dive to put a swift end to the Russian war. (Orla Guerin, "Turkey's opposition leader vows protests will continue 'in every city'” BBC, 27 March 2025; Rosie Birchard, “EU faces balancing act over Turkey ties” Deutsche Welle, 25 March 2025)
DENMARK
Government welcomes US Vice President's Visit to Greenland
On 26 March, Denmark welcomed the White House decision on the planned visit to Greenland by US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady, Usha Vance. The Vice President said that he would accompany his wife on her three-day trip to the icy territory, which the US President Donald Trump, had repeatedly made statements for buying the land. Usha Vance is to visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday as a part of the delegation that would include Trump’s National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.(Karl Sexton, “Denmark welcomes change of plans for US Greenland visit,” Deutsche Welle, 26 March 2025)
LITHUANIA
Four US soldiers killed during a practice session
On 26 March, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that four US soldiers who went for military training in Lithuania were dead. Rutte said on a trip to Warsaw, he had received word of the deaths of the four soldiers and that his thoughts were with their families and with the US. Rutte said: “This is still early news, so we don't know the details, this is terrible news, and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones.” Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT reported that the four US soldiers and their vehicle were reported missing on Tuesday afternoon during an exercise at General Silvestras Žukauskas, 10 km away from the border of Belarus. (“Four US soldiers killed during training exercise in Lithuania, NATO leader says,” France 24, 26 March 2025)
REGIONAL
EU encourages member states to have emergency stock supplies
On 26 March, the European Commission advised all the member nations including the Netherlands to have essential emergency kits that will come to use at times of emergency especially conflicts, natural disasters, cyber-attacks, etc. This ensures that individuals can sustain themselves for at least 72 hours without external help. Supplies include water, food, medicines, batteries, and toiletries to ensure self-sufficiency. The broader strategy includes securing vital resources, such as medicines, raw materials, and food as energy at the EU level alongside a steady water supply. This initiative comes due to the current disruptions occurring across Europe, and the impacts of climate change. To respond to these issues, the EU is shifting towards a proactive approach to crisis management. This calls for cooperation between governments, businesses, and citizens and encourages investments that can serve civil and military needs. (“EU encourages Dutch citizens to stock emergency supplies in case of crisis,” NL Times, 26 March 2025)