Dr Balki Begum Bayhan 🇺🇦

My latest article where I talk about what #Turkey's election results mean going forward theconversation.com/turkey-what-to…

Great research opportunity for anyone working on #Albania and #migration. Apply by 24 November & feel free to boost and share! wfd.org/vacancy-consul…

💥 New: Turkish protests – is this the end for Erdoğan? ✍️ Balki Begumhan Bayhan blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/202…

I’m in @LSEEuroppblog today analysing Turkey’s protests and why they’re happening.

Finally joined Bluesky and will slowly be making the switch. I’ll periodically check on here but will mainly be posting on Bluesky. See you on the other side!

İmamoğlu is seen as the key rival to Erdoğan and one of the most mobilising politicians in the opposition. His arrest highlights an increased crackdown on CHP ahead of the 2028 elections and a further escalation of repression in a country that already has many political prisoners

Demonstrations in #Turkey emerge after the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was likely to be the nominated as CHP’s presidential candidate in the upcoming days.

We are deeply concerned by the arrest of ten journalists yesterday in Turkey. We join @mlsaturkey, @TGS_org_tr, and more to call for their immediate release from custody and to urge Turkish authorities to end their campaign of harassment against journalists and respect press freedom. Full letter ⬇️

Trump’ın zaferi başta translar olmak üzere LGBTİ+lar için kötü günlerin habercisi. Artık Elon Musk’la el ele verip cinsiyet uyum sürecini yasaklamaya, ayrımcılık karşıtı yasaları iptal ettirmeye, kutsal aile martavallarını tüm dünyaya ihraç etmeye son sürat devam ederler

In Iran, a student harassed by her university’s morality police over her “improper” hijab didn’t back down. She turned her body into a protest, stripping to her underwear and marching through campus—defying a regime that constantly controls women’s bodies. Her act is a powerful reminder of Iranian women’s fight for freedom. Yes we use our bodies like weapons to fight back a regime that kills women for showing their hair. This happened at Tehran’s Science and Research University She has since been arrested by the authorities. Be her voice. #WomanLifeFreedom

We are concerned by the "influence agent" bill under consideration in the Turkish parliament, which mirrors antidemocratic laws passed elsewhere in the region and would further stifle the freedoms of the Turkish people. We urge policymakers to reject this draconian legislation.

MLSA's @VeyselOkk wrote on Turkey's upcoming foreign agent law: 📌 "Yet another tool of repression: Turkey’s looming 'foreign agent' law targets civil society and free expression" ✍️ @VeyselOkk mlsaturkey.com/en/yet-another…

I now write things for my own ammusment, hopefully the first of many. Anyway, this time I'm countering common arguments for First Past the Post open.substack.com/pub/jonathanp2…

Istanbul Pride Parade banned, nine roads closed This morning, the Istanbul Governor's Office announced the ban on today's Istanbul LGBTQ+ Pride Parade. The Governor's Office referred to the organizations calling for the parade as 'illegal groups'. In the decision, the Governor's Office stated, "It has been observed that various illegal groups have called for an unauthorized protest march and press statement in the Taksim - Istiklal Street area on Sunday, June 30, 2024, through social media platforms." Starting from 10:00 AM, nine roads around Taksim Square have been closed to access.

Meanwhile, the ruling coalition suffered significant losses in over 15 provinces, including surprising losses to the CHP in places like Balikesir, Adiyaman and Usak. Perhaps most significantly, this is the first time since 2002 the AKP has not been the largest party nationwide.

An impressive win for the opposition in #Turkey's local elections. The opposition won in the 5 largest cities - Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana and Bursa. While Izmir is a CHP stronghold and Ankara, Istanbul and Adana were all taken in 2019, Bursa was a solidly AKP province.

Me & Turkish politics

Huge red wave in 🇹🇷. First time CHP poised to win an election since 89. Massive wins in Istanbul & Ankara. Limits of Erdogan's ability to carry decaying AKP. Notable surge by Islamist YRP. Kurdish voters are smart & complex. Poor showing by nationalists, esp self-destructing IYI.

This is the dream scenario for the opposition. CHP candidates are currently leading in almost all major cities CHP is the leading party in the entire country.