About the Session

Türkiye has recently witnessed a wave of political developments that have raised deep concerns regarding the state of democracy, the rule of law, and the autonomy of local governments. These include judicial pressure on opposition figures, threats against elected mayors, and an overall shrinking of democratic space.

This informal breakfast gathering will provide a timely opportunity to reflect on these developments in an open and thoughtful setting. Hosted by CEFTUS, the event will bring together politicians, academics, civil society representatives, and members of the press to discuss what these changes mean for Türkiye’s democratic future.

Each speaker will be invited to share a brief 5-minute reflection, followed by an open Q&A session.

Programme

● 09:00 – 09:15 | Welcome & Introduction
● 09:15 – 10:00 | Reflections by invited speakers (5 mins each)
● 10:00 – 10:25 | Open Discussion & Q&A
● 10:25 – 10:30 | Closing Remarks

Chair : Lawyer Gizay Dulkadir, Criminal Law & Human Rights Specialist

Speakers

● Mithat Sancar, MP (DEM Party), Former Co-Chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party
● Sezgin Tanrıkulu, MP (CHP), Human Rights Lawyer
● Mehmet Emin Ekmen, MP (DEVA Party), Lawyer and Member of Parliament
● Nurhayat Altun, Former Mayor of Dersim, Member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (Council of Europe)
● Prof. Dr. Vahap Coşkun, Faculty of Law, Dicle University

Venue details will be shared with confirmed guests.

Kindly note:

The full £50 contribution for the breakfast will be allocated entirely to supporting CEFTUS events and initiatives. We appreciate your support for democratic dialogue.