Turkey bans short selling and eases buyback rules amid market rout
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The Borsa Istanbul 100 Index shed more than 16 per cent last week after President Erdogan's main opposition leader was arrested
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Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Khaleej Times
As birthrates plunge, Turkey's government steps in
Alarmed by the fact that Turkish women are having fewer children, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has moved to tackle falling birthrates -- "a threat greater than war" -- through policies designed to bring on the babies. After declaring 2025 Turkey's "Year of the Family", Erdogan last month announced 2026 would mark the start of the "Decade of the Family". But his pleas for women to have at least three children and offers of financial incentives for newlyweds may not be enough as Turkey grapples with a deepening economic crisis. Official figures show Turkey's birthrate has fallen from 2.38 children per woman in 2001 to 1.48 in 2025 -- lower than in France, Britain or the United States -- in what Erdogan, a 71-year-old pious Muslim and father-of-four, has denounced as "a disaster". During his 22 years in office -- first as premier, then president -- fertility rates have dropped sharply in this country of 85 million people. Erdogan has blamed both women and LGBTQ "perverts". "Women and LGBTQ+ individuals are considered the only culprits for the declining population growth rate, with no acknowledgement of political mistakes," said retired academic and feminist activist Berrin Sonmez. "People might be hesitant to have children in this chaotic and uncertain environment. Additionally, child support is almost non-existent and education has become the most expensive sector," she said. No education, no jobs High inflation has raged in Turkey for the past four years, forcing education costs up by more than 70 percent over the past year, official data shows. In the first quarter, unemployment stood at 8.2 percent, or 15 percent among 15- to 24-year-olds. Researchers with the DISK union say the real rate is 28.5 percent, and 37.5 percent among young people. But the government seems bent on fixing other issues, such as Turkey's record number of elective Caesarean births -- which stands at 61 percent, rising to 78 percent in some private hospitals. In April, Turkey banned C-section births at private healthcare facilities "without a medical justification". The procedure generally limits the number of pregnancies to two, or a maximum of three. C-sections: The 'safer option' Medical professionals say the high number of C-sections is linked to the rampant privatisation of the healthcare system since the late 1990s. C-sections are more time-efficient for medical staff -- 30 minutes, versus 12 hours for a traditional delivery -- and lower the risk of legal action over complications, said Hakan Coker, an Istanbul-based gynaecologist. "Ultimately, C-sections are perceived as a guarantee of safety" for doctors and women alike, he said. Dr Harika Bodur, an obstetrician at a major Istanbul hospital, said some women ask for a C-section "at the first appointment for fear of pain". "If you refuse, they'll go elsewhere," she said. The fear is rooted in a lack of education and discomfort with sexuality, she said. The health ministry says it is now "aiming for a target rate of 20 percent (of C-sections) by encouraging normal childbirth through education of future parents". But the word "normal" has raised hackles -- notably last month when a football team carried a huge banner promoting vaginal births onto the pitch before a top-flight clash, which read: "Natural birth is normal." Women as 'birthing machines' "If I don't want to, I won't have any children at all, it's my right," said 23-year-old chemistry student Secil Murtazaoglu. "Access to abortion is already difficult. Now they want to limit C-sections. It's all about the oppression of women," she said. In 2012, the Turkish president described abortion as "murder", but stopped short of banning it. By offering interest-free loans of 150,000 Turkish lira ($3,800) for newlyweds and a monthly allowance of 5,000 lira from the third child onwards, Erdogan was trying "to turn women into birthing machines", Murtazaoglu said. Feminist activist Sonmez said women were subjected to huge pressures, both within their families and within society, when the much more pressing issue was the need to tackle gender violence. "We must start by combating violence against women: such policies have been eradicated and protections seriously undermined," she said.
Middle East Eye
7 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Turkey ousts five opposition mayors, probes CHP leader
Turkey has removed five mayors affiliated with the country's main opposition party from office after they were arrested on corruption charges, which the opposition says are politically motivated. In a statement on Thursday, the Turkish interior ministry announced that the Republican People's Party (CHP) district mayors of Avcilar, Buyukcekmece, and Gaziosmanpasa in Istanbul, as well as the mayors of Seyhan and Ceyhan in Adana, were dismissed during the course of the investigation. This recent wave of police operations follows high-profile investigations targeting Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested in March on similar charges of financial crimes, including extortion and operating a criminal network. Imamoglu's formal arrest triggered month-long mass protests across Turkey, pushing Turkish markets to the brink. Imamoglu denies the allegations, claiming that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government orchestrated this 'politically motivated' investigation to block his potential presidential candidacy in the 2028 elections. Last year, the opposition handed Erdogan's Justice and Development Party its first defeat in local elections in over two decades. The CHP leader, who won the mayoral election a year ago with 51 percent of the vote, is widely seen as Erdogan's main political rival. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Tensions continue to run high between the government and the opposition. On Wednesday, state broadcaster TRT reported that prosecutors had opened an investigation into CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel for allegedly insulting Istanbul's chief prosecutor, Akin Gurlek, at a rally in the city. Gurlek, a former deputy justice minister, has faced accusations from opposition figures of pursuing cases targeting Erdogan's political opponents since taking up his post last year. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc condemned Ozel's remarks in a post on X, calling any threats against the judiciary 'unacceptable'. The Istanbul Governor's Office announced that, following the suspension of the mayors of Avcilar, Buyukcekmece, and Gaziosmanpasa, the respective municipal councils will convene on 11 June to elect acting (deputy) mayors. With the suspension of these five mayors, the total number of CHP mayors removed from office has now risen to 11 as part of investigations into CHP municipalities. Dozens of other officials have been detained and are awaiting trial.
Middle East Eye
04-06-2025
- Middle East Eye
Turkey delivers T129 Atak helicopters to Somalia
Turkey has ramped up its defence support to Somalia in its fight against al-Shabab militant group this week, following a phone call between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Somali counterpart on Saturday. Sources familiar with the issue told Middle East Eye that Ankara delivered three T129 Atak attack helicopters to the Somali government this week. Ankara also simultaneously handed over two utility helicopters to the Somali navy, as part of a defence agreement signed between the two governments in February 2024, which mandated Ankara to establish a naval force for Mogadishu. Turkey has been training several Somali pilots to operate Atak helicopters for the past year. The shipment of the helicopters was delivered after the pilots completed their final stage of training. Open-source data shows that around six Turkish A400M and Qatari C-17A transport aircraft have arrived in Mogadishu over the past week, potentially transporting the helicopters. MEE has reached out to Turkey's defence ministry for a comment. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters 'The delivery of the Atak helicopters to Somalia is an indication that Ankara is not only aiming to transfer weapons but also to build up an integrated war capacity for Somalia,' said one of the sources familiar with the shipment. During the phone call on Saturday, Erdogan told Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud that Turkey supports Somalia's vision of development through democracy. Erdogan also affirmed that Turkey's support to Somalia in counter-terrorism efforts would continue and be further expanded, according to a statement released by the Turkish presidency. The timing of Turkey's military aid suggests it aims to stabilise Somalia ahead of elections planned for 2026, which would be held through direct voting instead of tribal electoral system. Somalia has faced a resurgence of al-Shabab attacks in recent months. The group, which aims to topple the government, has intensified its militant campaign in the country. Al-Shabab has made significant gains in central Somalia, notably capturing villages south of the capital Mogadishu last month. However, the group made similar advances in previous years, later abandoning its positions due to military pressure from Somali forces. Unprecedented military support Middle East Eye reported in April that Ankara has boosted its military presence in Mogadishu, doubling its troop numbers in the country to over 500. These forces are tasked with protecting and maintaining the Turkish military base, Turksom, as well as operating armed drones and securing Mogadishu's ports. How Somalia-Turkey defence deal torpedoed a rival UAE agreement Read More » Although Turkish TB2 Bayraktar drones were already in operation, Ankara has recently transported two Akinci drones to Somalia. These drones, capable of flying at high altitudes for extended periods, are considered more effective against al-Shabab due to their advanced night vision and 24-hour operational capabilities. Turkey's unprecedented increase in military support - at a time when the US is scaling back its assistance to Somalia - signals Ankara's intent to prevent a power vacuum in the country. While the US has doubled its air strikes targeting Islamic State affiliates in Somalia this year, it also cut funding in March to the country's elite Danab unit, a force that has played a crucial role in the fight against al-Shabab. Turkey has maintained a significant presence in Mogadishu since Erdogan's first visit to Somalia in 2011, which was conducted as part of a humanitarian mission. Since then, the relationship has deepened into a comprehensive commercial and security partnership. Last year, Ankara also signed an energy exploration and drilling agreement with Somalia, which has led to Turkey sending technical exploration ships to the Somali coast. The exploration data has not yet been publicly revealed. However, during televised remarks on Monday, Erdogan said that 'good news' on energy would be forthcoming in due time. This has led to speculation in Ankara that the announcement may be related to Somalia's energy resources.
