Turkey Roundup: Push for 2027 snap polls, trade deficit shrinks, religious row

Snap presidential polls eyed in 2027

Opposition figures are pushing for a snap presidential election by November 2027, which, if successful, would preempt the scheduled 2028 vote and cut short the term of incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish Transportation Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu revealed plans for the snap polls in a televised interview. This development follows the opposition’s claim of having gathered more than 20 million signatures backing arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as the candidate of the Republican People’s Party. On the side of the ruling party, Erdogan has left the door open on a possible re-election bid. If he wins, he would be the Turkish president through 2033 or for 19 years — the longest in history.

Trade deficit plummets to 9-month low

Turkey’s trade deficit recorded a 12% year-on-year decrease in July 2025, a 9-month low shortfall credited to quicker growth of exports compared with imports. According to preliminary data from the Turkey Trade Ministry, the trade deficit went down to $6.4 billion in July 2025 from $7.3 billion in the same month last year. Exports rose by 11% year-on-year to $25 billion, while imports grew at a slower rate of 5.4% to $31.4 billion. 

Turkey unlikely to allow US nuclear subs in Black Sea

Turkey would likely reject any US request to deploy nuclear submarines in the Black Sea, international law analyst Hakan Erkiner said, citing the 1936 Montreux Convention. The remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s August 1 announcement of plans to send submarines to “appropriate regions.” The convention allows Turkey, which is officially neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war, to restrict military vessel transit through the Bosporus and Dardanelles.

Turkey slams Israeli security chief over Jewish prayer in Muslim mosque

Turkey on August 4 condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for conducting a Jewish prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, calling the act a violation of the site’s sanctity and long-standing agreements. The Turkish foreign ministry criticised what it described as a “raid” by Israeli ministers, accompanied by police and settlers, at Islam’s third-holiest site, which also sits on Judaism’s holiest — the Temple Mount.

Azerbaijan begins gas exports to Syria via Turkey

Azerbaijan has launched gas exports to Syria through Turkish territory, marking a new regional energy link. Annual supply is expected to reach 1.2 billion cubic metres from the Shah Deniz field. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said initial daily deliveries will be 3.4 million cubic metres, with the potential to increase to 6 mcm and eventually 2 bcm annually. Turkey’s role is part of its broader effort to support Syrian reconstruction.