Opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu
The energy stakes of Turkey’s heated presidential election
Besides fraying democracy, different visions for Turkey as a regional gas hub hang in the balance in a fateful election in May
Polls in Turkey suggest a slim lead for joint opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who is running to unseat strongman populist Recep Tayyip Erdogan after two decades in power. Whatever the results, Turkey’s energy clout will likely continue to grow, and the next government will seek to enhance its status as a regional gas hub feeding Europe. Yet there are nuances: most importantly, perhaps, how big a role Russia will play in pursuing these ambitions. “Putin and Erdogan are both confronting political challenges and that does not create the circumstances in which to make pragmatic decisions about energy policy,” says Elizabeth Stephens, managing director of UK-based consultancy Geopolitica
Also in this section
11 August 2025
The administration is pushing for deregulation and streamline permitting for natural gas, while tightening requirements and stripping away subsidies from renewables
8 August 2025
The producers’ group missed its output increase target for the month and may soon face a critical test of its strategy
7 August 2025
The quick, unified and decisive strategy to return all the barrels from the hefty tranche of cuts from the eight producers involved in voluntary curbs signals a shift and sets the tone for the path ahead
7 August 2025
Without US backing, the EU’s newest sanctions package against Russia—though not painless—is unlikely to have a significant impact on the country’s oil and gas revenues or its broader economy
