Stories from Ankara · Turkey

CHP leader Özgür Özel announced that the party will begin election campaigning on May 1. The leader stated that he will be in the field across all 81 provinces on Monday. The campaign will said the concept of a 'Turkey Alliance' to address citizen concerns. The leader said the need for a 'Turkey Alliance' that transcends individual political parties. The announcement said a move toward solidarity rather than political competition. Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel announced the opening of all alliances ahead of election activities starting May 4. Special said the party will knock on everyone's door regardless of political views. These comments followed his visit to Turkey's central regions. Özel also called for immediate increases to minimum wages and retiree pensions, suggesting the first three months of inflation differences be applied to minimum wages before July.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the process toward a terrorism-free Turkey is continuing positively. Erdoğan noted the region is undergoing a critical process and said the importance of the Turkish-Kurdish-Arab alliance. President Erdoğan addressed an AK Party group meeting, stating that attempts to create divisions among citizens would be a betrayal of history and the future. He asserted that no one can come between the people or act as an enemy to them. The speech occurred amid criticisms from CHP leader Özgür Özel regarding recent political directions. Erdoğan also directed remarks toward those who view themselves as part of a large elite family.

Turkey plans to deposit retirement bonuses into accounts gradually during the second half of May. The announcement follows recent seismic activity in the Doluduğa region. Experts are currently evaluating whether these tremors indicate a larger earthquake risk. The Turkish Grand National Assembly is considering a new law to regulate rent increases and prevent arbitrary hikes. The regulation aims to stop excessive increases by millions of homeowners and tenants. Under the proposed law, non-transparent expenditures will be audited by ministry-affiliated inspection firms. The bonus amount will remain at 4,000 lira without any increase. This announcement follows inquiries regarding whether the 16 million retirees would receive a raise. The statement was made ahead of the AK Party Group Meeting.

Labor and Social Security Minister Vedat Işıkhan announced that Kurban Bayramı bonuses will be 4,000 lira. The minister stated the amount will match the previous Ramadan Bayramı payments. This announcement was made prior to the AK Party Group meeting.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure signed a protocol with the Ministry of Health today regarding celiac disease. The document requires school canteens and dormitory dining halls to provide gluten-free products and services for students with celiac disease. This measure aims to ensure nutritional support for affected students. Money will be transferred to the seller's account only after the title deed transfer is completed. If the transfer fails, the system will automatically refund the pending amount to the buyer. The application is scheduled to begin on July 1. Additionally, the education requirement for motor vehicle trade authorization has been lowered from high school graduation to primary school graduation. Turkey will introduce a mandatory authorization requirement for property management companies to formalize the sector.

The Turkish Ministry has secured over 250 private investment agreements to provide thousands of jobs. These investments include new factories and private ventures that do not rely on taxpayer funds.

The Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure signed a cooperation protocol with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. The agreement prioritizes zero waste initiatives within the transport and infrastructure sectors. Green infrastructure applications will be incentivized under the new protocol. Measures will also be implemented at airports to align with these waste management goals. The agreement aims to expand the zero waste approach, increase resource efficiency, and prevent waste formation. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdülkadir Uraloğlu stated that steps will continue toward the 2023 net zero emission target. Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey is patrolling a zero waste project aimed at establishing global leadership in the field. The initiative, led by Emin Erdoğan, aims to advance the country's zero waste project.

Turkey has significantly increased the cost of residence permits for Russian citizens. The fee has risen by nearly 15 times, according to the report. This follows a gradual increase in costs. Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced the change after an AK Party group meeting. The new regulation is set to enter into force immediately. Turkey has implemented a 930 percent increase in residence permit application fees for citizens of Nigeria and 36 other African countries.

Turkey plans to construct 15,000 new housing units to be delivered in August. These homes will be rented to low-income groups at half the market rate. Urban transformation expert and civil engineer Cevdet Çentürk discussed the project details.

Turkey's total number of employed persons increased by 226,000 people compared to the previous month, reaching 32,425,000. The employment rate rose to 48.5 percent. Unemployment among the youth population aged 15-24 decreased by 0.5 percentage points in March to 15.3 percent.