Turkish local elections

Turkey is in search for a safe-zone and peace corridor in Syria, which will contribute to world and regional peace, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Spokesman Ömer Çelik said on Aug. 6.

In a joint response to the European Union's decision to impose sanctions on Ankara over its illegal drilling activities within Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), four parties in the Turkish Parliament issued a joint statement on Friday pledging support to their government.

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on July 8 defended the removal of the country's Central Bank head.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesman reiterated on July 6 that Turkey is determined to reinforce its air defense systems as threats continue to arise from Syria, Iraq and eastern Mediterranean.

Two main contenders of the Istanbul rerun elections, Binali Yıldırım from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Ekrem İmamoğlu from the Republican People's Party (CHP), agreed on a live TV debate that will be aired by all channels on June 16, a week before the polls.

A joint TV interview with the two leading Istanbul mayoral candidates Binali Yıldırım of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Ekrem İmamoğlu of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) is planned for after the Eid al-Fitr holiday, the AKP deputy chair has announced.

Binali Yıldırım, Istanbul mayoral candidate for the Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), says he is amenable to a joint TV interview with the main opposition candidate, Ekrem İmamoğlu.

The Istanbul provincial election board announced on May 27 the list of candidates who will run for the renewed June 23 elections.

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on May 23 introduced a bill in the parliament which will reduce the period of military service from 12 months to 6 months and make the paid military service permanent for those who can afford it.

A detailed ruling by the Supreme Election Council (YSK) on its justification for the cancellation of the March 31 Istanbul polls has revealed that the decision was politically-motivated and failed to prove that alleged irregularities had an impact on the election results, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has said.