Nov 4, 2026, 10:00 AM UTC

Republican People's Party leader Özgür Özel has sharply criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following the transfer of administrative control in Istanbul's Üsküdar district to the ruling Justice and Development Party.

Speaking at a public rally in Üsküdar Square and during a television broadcast, Özel characterized the recent municipal council vote as one of the darkest and most tainted developments in Turkish political history. He directly challenged Erdoğan over democratic standards following the leadership shift.

Additionally, Özel clarified Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş's recent meeting with Erdoğan, stating the discussions focused exclusively on resolving municipal administrative bottlenecks in the capital rather than political negotiations.

Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet

Former Socialist presidential nominee Ségolène Royal has officially joined the left-wing primary for France's 2027 election after collecting the necessary sponsorships. The contest, scheduled across two rounds on 9–10 and 16–17 October, features seven declared candidates, including Socialist Party First Secretary Olivier Faure.

Royal's entry has already sparked friction within the left. Despite previously promising to avoid attacking primary rivals, she publicly targeted fellow contender Raphaël Glucksmann, calling him the "media darling". Meanwhile, French Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel confirmed he will bypass the primary organized by the Socialists and Place Publique to launch an independent presidential campaign.

Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will not attend the upcoming Organization of Turkic States (OTS) summit in Turkey, marking his first absence from an official gathering of the regional group in 17 years.

Reporting on the decision highlights contrasting views on Baku's relations within the bloc. Independent coverage indicates that Aliyev's non-attendance reflects mounting political friction and recent disagreements between Azerbaijan and Turkey. Conversely, state-aligned media focus on Azerbaijan's ongoing strategic initiatives within the organization, emphasizing its role in unifying security, energy corridors, and transport infrastructure across member nations. Official explanations for the president's absence remain limited as regional leaders prepare to convene without him.

Sources: OC Media, Trend News Agency

Civil society groups and media monitoring in Turkey recorded dozens of cases of gender-based violence during August. According to data compiled by news outlet Bianet, men killed at least 25 women and injured 71 others throughout the month. Separately, figures published by the We Will Stop Femicide Platform and reported by Cumhuriyet showed 22 femicides and 33 suspicious female deaths in August, with over half of the fatalities occurring inside victims' homes.

Concurrently, judicial authorities announced progress in historic violence cases. State broadcaster TRT Haber reported that prosecutors in Siirt completed an indictment charging five suspects in connection with the 2024 murder of a mother of four, utilizing digital tracking and telecommunication records to solve the case.

Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet, TRT Haber

The National Bank of Serbia (NBS) has initiated bankruptcy proceedings against Alta banka following the revocation of its operating license due to severe undercapitalization and illiquidity. In response to the shutdown, the lender confirmed that all branch operations, payment processing, card services, and foreign exchange activities remain fully suspended.

Payouts for insured deposits up to €50,000 are scheduled to begin shortly through designated financial institutions, though reports indicate long queues and growing client anxiety outside closed branches in cities such as Novi Sad. Student activist organization Studenti u blokadi issued a statement stressing that "preserving financial stability comes first," calling on authorities to thoroughly investigate how the bank's financial difficulties developed over time.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, Danas, Klix, N1