Erdogan's government

The next phase of Greek-Turkish relations in the next two months may possibly feature frequent rhetorical outbursts from the other side of the Aegean. 

LGBT groups are readying to resist the pressures and bans of Erdogan's government - but the autocratic President looks determined to crack down even harder on a vulnerable segment of society.

The European Court of Human Rights, ECHR in Strasbourg ruled on Tuesday that Turkey violated the rights of Hidayet Karaca, who was an executive at a major media group executive affiliated with exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, for unfairly keeping him in detention for too long before his trial.

The Workers' Party of Turkey, TIP, holds a protest in Istanbul. Photo: Workers' Party of Turkey

"We demand respect for the will of the people of Hatay," the TIP said in a statement.

"What is happening is against the constitution in every way. End this illegality and enforce the laws from which you derive your authority," it added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shaking hands with former presidential candidate of the ATA Alliance, Sinan Ogan (L) in Istanbul. 19 May 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE/PRESIDENT PRESS OFFICE HANDOUT

"I will support President Erdogan in the second round and I call on our supporters to vote for People's Alliance's candidate Erdogan," Ogan said on Monday.

• More than 64 million Turkish citizens are eligible to vote in the polls. They will choose between three presidential candidates and 36 parties in 87 electoral districts.
• Voters will decide the fate of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP as they face a united democratic opposition.

Bogazici University students hold anti-government placards and shout slogans during a demonstration against their new rector Melih Bulu, in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo: EPA-EFE/TOLGA BOZOGLU

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on June 12 that Turkey has "legitimate concerns" over terrorism and other issues that need to be taken seriously.

Turkey has accused Finland and Sweden of supporting the PKK terrorists and says it will not back the two Nordic nati-ons joining NATO until they change their policies.

Protesters hold placards reading "The Gezi resistance continues" in front of the Istanbul Caglayan Court House to support Turkish businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE/SEDAT SUNA

According to opinion polls, Imamoglu would beat Erdogan, whose popularity has suffered as a result of a series of political and international crises, and mostly due to the grave economic crisis.

He is cautious about his own prospects. "The opposition parties will work very selectively to decide the best presidential candidate," Imamoglu said.