In 2019 the municipal elections in Turkey garnered widespread attention both inside and outside the country, especially with Turkish President Erdogan’s handpicked AKP candidates losing Istanbul and Ankara. Erdogan is now intent on winning both back. Ayla Jean Yackley, an Istanbul-based journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why we should be paying attention to Turkey’s upcoming elections, which could be critical for the country’s politics - from the ruling party to the opposition.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Local Elections Will Soon Decide Turkey’s Future

Erdogan Tightens Grip on Media and Internet Ahead of Elections

The complex landscape facing Turkey ahead of local elections

Aid supply ship from Cyprus reaches Gaza coast but weather slows delivery

Humanitarian aid ship reaches Gaza

Greece will keep supplying Ukraine