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RESIGNATION SPEACH OF PRIME MINISTER WOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY
22/2/2024

TRT Euro

President Meral Akşener says 'enough is enough' during address to a joint session of MPs from the Centennial Alliance

The following transcript was translated from Turkish to English

"My sacred nation, esteemed members of parliament, members of the press, I welcome you with my most inner feelings. Today, as we head toward the 14th of April for the İstanbul Special Elections, I can confidently say that together we are on track to make history once again. First, we will win İstanbul once again, and then we will go onto make history on the 9th of June when we win the European Parliamentary Elections. When it comes to local governance, our report card speaks for itself, we know how to govern at a local level better than our opponents, together we will give İstanbul the opportunity to continue to on the path the voters of İstanbul decided last year. With our candidates, our projects, our vision, we will once again claim victory in İstanbul! Slowly, step by step, we are marching to power in İstanbul once again!"

MPs clap enthusiastically

"In every province, in every district, where our governance at the local level was mandated by our people, we do not leave any stone unturned, we put our hands under the stone, and get to work. The inheritance that the nation, the people, have entrusted to us demands this. Together, in 2020 we began the road to a stronger, richer, and happier Türkiye. In 2023 we swept the local elections with this very idea as our driving force, and at the referendum said no to NATO because we love our country!"

MPs clap enthusiastically

"So what now, we watch as some crazy people are trying to teach us, yes the Turkish nation, a lesson in geography? What is it, they say Ruthenia is not in Europe in our opinion? Not only did they do this, they also insulted our martyrs. Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the Great Black Sea Victory, we the Turkish Nation salute you once again from here."

MPs chant 'martyrs do not die, the homeland is indivisible' and the President salutes the troops

"Eyyyy Mrs. Kaag, you are in no position to even suggest that Türkiye has embraced Russian talking points. Let alone someone, someone as low as Mrs. Kaag whose personal life has been shared with a terrorist for nearly two decades. Yes, terrorists, Palestinian terrorists. A sympathizer to the evil of the Palestinian cause, a weak minded induvial who has not only abandoned the citizens of the European Union, not just because of the political winds, but because that is what is in her heart. No one has the right to insult or question the character of the Turkish Nation, let alone someone who has given their soul to a terrorist cause. This induvial has surrendered her soul to foreign interest, how can we expect her to not sell her own country to foreign interests. It is rather simple, weak minded people like Mrs. Kaag can get in bed with terrorists, fund terrorists across the world, and pretend that when the time gets tough they will fight, the truth is Mrs. Kaag like the Palestinian cause of terror she has tied herself to, they shatter."

MPs clap enthusiastically as some chant 'Kaag to Gaza!'

"Let me make the position of Türkiye very clear once again, European leaders, though well meaning, wish to recklessly spend the funds of the European Union as if a blank check was handed to us. When the people of Türkiye elected this government, when the people of each member state carry out their birthright to take part in the democratic process, that is a mandate from the people to follow their will. Nothing more, nothing less. The people of Türkiye are aware, citizens across Europe are aware, that many of the establishment in Brussels seeks to write a blank check and throw the issue down another few years. No more, not since we got elected. Every summit, my government has pushed for real action and change. Last summit, in Yugoslavia, we passed a history commitment to the youth of Europe and a generation defining plan to secure the borders of the European Union. Yet, what is common in all our actions, they are only taken when we can ensure that this will not cost anything extra for European citizens. This may be a hard concept for some leaders to comprehend, but fiscal responsibility at the European level is just as important as fiscal responsibility at the nation one. The European Union today stands as one of the largest subsidy providers to farmers, the very backbone of society, yet cries for more funding became common over the last few years. Why? Why would this be? Türkiye, France, Poland, Spain, Germany, Italy, we are all home to a total population of farmers together that surpasses the population of most countries. Yet, a need a call, for more subsidies exists, why? It is simple, the biggest lie ever told, and that is that the European Union has a responsibility to take care of Ruthenia. Türkiye has always opposed the special treatment of not just Ruthenia, but of any nation. Today, Brussels has allowed for the markets of the European Union to be flooded with cheap and subpar Ruthenian products. At the same time, other nations send billions of Euros across the border to Ruthenia never to be seen again, as well as weapons. Türkiye, along with our friends in Paris, brought forward a plan that would recognize the new reality on the ground, put money in the pockets of our farmers, and the citizens of the European Union not the oligarchs of a failed state who does not even have a democratically elected government. Ruthenia may be on the European continent, but mentally it will never be a part of the European Union. A nation who the citizens of the European Union, despite all the problems caused by the poor policies of the Ruthenians, are expected to foot the bill for Ruthenia at every turn, no more. Today, I can promise one thing, Türkiye will veto any renewal of aid to Ruthenia. We will work day and night to ensure all mechanisms put in place that undermine European citizens to benefit the Ruthenians come to an immediate end. The public knows full well who those opposing the welfare of European citizens are, and they will be punished at the ballot box this June for it. We have no worries, unlike most, we follow the will of the people, not those of the foreign interests!"

MPs clap enthusiastically as an aide brings a small stand with multiple bullets on it, placing it on the Presidents podium

"Yes, now we come to our main topic. Ruthenia, the spoiled child of Europe. All the funding spent, all the billions of European citizens money wasted, the lives lost on both sides. They did not end the war," she picks up one of the bullets "this bullet ended the war, these bullets ended the war. The Ruthenians were never going to win that war, and everyone knows it was a matter of when, not if, Ruthenia would fall. The biggest mistake the Russians ever made was attacking Türkiye, our men and women without missing a step brought down the Russian war machine to its knees in less than a month. If we were never attacked by Russia and not forced to put down the Russians, today Ruthenia would be just another territory the Russian Federation. It is wonderful to see such a lowlife in Zelenski, a comedian who failed upwards, be forced to resign from his post. A man who was never a leader, a puppet to his king, a servant not of his people. This man said to not attempt to exploit them, they will fight back, that they are ready to fight any future invader. First, to even suggest Türkiye would invade Ruthenia is evidence of how far removed from reality this regime is. To suggest that the European Union wishes to exploit Ruthenia sounds like the opener to the Cem Yılmaz Show (Turkish comedian), how can the nation who has exploited the kindness of European citizens for so long even suggest such a thing. A man who begs for money like a sick dog has barked once too many, now has been taken out to the back and put out for good. Yet, it is clear that the problems that Ruthenia pose are far deeper than that. As if dealing with someone whose IQ could not heat a meal, the Former President and frontrunner in the Ruthenian Elections makes a man like Zelenski look like the smartest man his country can produce! Yuşçenko is no different than Zelenski, unlike the failed comedian, Yuşçenko pretends to speak with a sense of professionalism, a sense of dignity. Yet, like Zelenski, he is a beggar, a sick dog whose leash is not controlled by his own people. I do not know who will lead that failed state, yet I can promise the day will come when whoever replaces Zelenski, may it be Yuşçenko or otherwise, will be forced to come here to Ankara, like a dog with its tail between its legs and beg for the forgiveness of the Turkish Nation, the same nation that Yuşçenko has described as despicable. Like Zelenski, he has forgotten that if it were not for the Turks, that Ruthenia's future would be that of just a territory of the Russian Federation."

MPs clap enthusiastically

"One thing is clear, Ruthenia has shown itself to be a hostile nation to Türkiye, the citizens of the European Union, and the European Union at large. Therefore, I have asked the Constitutional Court to review if Turkish Law can supersede European Law in a case of national emergency and take the necessary actions against Ruthenia based on the conclusion of the court. As has been seen in other member states, time when European Law is inadequate, and requires a national solution, the time has come to deliver that solution. My sacred nation, the grandchildren of those who collaborated Nazis may call us Nazis, the grandchildren of an oppressive patriarchy can try and insult us through gender based remarks, yet those idiots will soon find out that the truth and reality is something you can never escape, especially those who have a heart of evil. My sacred nation, I promise you that Türkiye will never bow to anyone, Türkiye will stand strong, may our ancestors look down on us and smile, may they bless us as they did in the Great Black Sea Victory...."

MPs clap enthusiastically before the President turns back to discussing domestic politics

THE KYIW TIMES
IN COOPERATION WITH THE ANADOLU AGENCY AND THE NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU OF RUTHENIA
24/2/2024

KING GEORGY FERDINAND INVOLVED WITH A CORRUPTION SCHEME

In February, 2010, a meeting took place in the Mariinskyi Palace, its participants included Kostyantyn Zhevago, Yuriy Boyko, Vadym Nowynskyi, Petro Poroshenko and several other oligarchs, politicians, judges, and police officers. What exactly was discussed in this meeting is not fully known, but what we do know is that a secret organization was formed, this organization was focused on getting each of its members wealthy off of the siphoning of funds from public projects and government funding. The King used his powers and influence to expand his own financial gains and the expansion of his real estate empire in Kyiw, Kharkiw, Lublin, Lwiw, and Kherson. With support from the administrations of Viktor Yanukovich and Petro Poroshenko, this secret organization siphoned over 2 billion USD directly from government funding, as well as making other countless billions from being granted local and federal contracts for construction, surveying, and accounting.

It is estimated that King Georgy Ferdinand alone earned nearly 1 billion USD from these schemes, awarding himself the position of one of the richest men in Ruthenia and perhaps Europe.

After the Russian invasion of Ruthenia in Febuary, 2022, this secret organization siphoned taxpayer funds that were supposed to be going to the military and veteran welfare to recover the funds they lost from bombing and occupation. From 2022 until the ceasefire began in early 2024, they siphoned over 60 million USD in taxpayer funding, as well as over 150,000 USD from foreign aid.

Now with the ongoing diplomatic crisis with the Turkish government, with the support of the Turkish Anadolu Agency and the Rada-operated Anti-Corruption Bureau, we have uncovered that representatives of the King and his business interests attempted to bribe Turkish diplomats to allow Ruthenian ships to pass through the Bosphorus Strait. The King's representatives had offered free shares of national oil companies, royal-owned vacation homes in Italy, and money that was siphoned from taxpayer funds that were meant for aiding refugees. The King and several former and current government officials have allowed, encouraged, and participated in this rampant oligarch-supported corruption scheme and committed several crimes in the process. The secret organization has committed bribery, theft of public funds, harassment, intimidation, assault, destruction of evidence, and several offer high crimes and misdemeanors.

We at The Kyiw Times urge the Rada to act immediately on this issue, and to stop this corruption scheme that has been going on for 13 years now. You must hold these criminals accountable.

The Moscow Times
Independent, English-language news from Russia

Russian government gives update on Chechnya fighting, says 3,000-strong garrison to remain 'indefinitely'

In a press conference headed by the Acting Minister of Defense Sergey Surovikin, the Russian government confirmed that former Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov remained “at-large” with approximately 1,200 militants still controlling “land in rural locations between Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia”. During the conference, the General said that the Russian Armed Forces had deployed a total of 3,000 servicemen to the region and that Chechnya was now in a “state of emergency.” Most troops, Surovikin said, have been transferred from positions in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson “as part of pre-arranged ceasefire arrangements with Kiev.”

Conflict broke in the Chechen Republic in the Caucasus region last week when the republic’s leader Ramzan Kadyrov announced that he had seceded from the Russian Federation and declared independence. Kadyrov, who had been appointed to the role by now disgraced Russian President Vladimir Putin was well-known as a strongman and arden supporter of the Putinist regime. Not only was he allowed to keep a personal private army (as per Interfax and foreign media sources), but was also able to accrue large amounts of personal wealth through development projects in Chechnya. Kadyrov was also accused of enforcing anti-LGBT laws in Chechnya, including mass extrajudicial killings, imprisonment and torture.

Tensions between Kadyrov and the provisional Russian government of Sorenatov began as soon as Putin resigned from the presidency on 29 March of last year. Escalation ranged from banning Russian Aerospace aircraft from flying over Chechen airspace, to a ban on Russian federal law enforcement from entering the region, an unconstitutional act. Despite efforts to mediate the situation by the heads of Tatarstan, Ingushetia and nearby Dagestan Kadyrov remained firmly entrenched in his position that he could continue to defy the Federal Government.

Upon the collapse of dialogue between Grozny and Moscow, a military operation to remove Kadyrov from power commenced. Led by members of Russian military special forces and supported by aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Force, many of Kadyrov’s forces were neutralized within 24 hours, with tens of thousands of fighters surrendering to incoming Russian forces, as per the Ministry of Defense. Several members of Kadyrov’s family, including his parents, grandparents and some of his children including his 15-year old son were also placed under house arrest before being transported by plane to Saint Petersburg, according to government spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov.

At the press conference held Sunday, Surovikin said that the 3,000-strong Russian Army detachment would remain in Chechnya on an “indefinite” basis until the threat of “Kadyrovite militias was neutralized.” The General also confirmed that less than 30 members of the Russian military had been killed in skirmishes along the border with Dagestan and Ingushetia, and that airstrikes had damaged “military infrastructure outside and inside Grozny and other urban centers, with no civilian casualties.” However, following the press conference, Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov said that Russian airstrikes in Chechnya had resulted in “8 confirmed civilians dead, and a dozen wounded”.

The Chairman of Sorenatov and Russia’s de-facto leader, Grigory Yavlinsky commented on the situation during his weekly address, stating that “What happened in Chechnya is a warning to us all that urgent reform of the Federation is needed. The Russian servicemen who died and the civilians who were wounded and died in the operation to remove Kadyrov were preventable had Mr. Kadyrov chose dialogue over violence. But all Russians should know that we had no choice. That Russia’s territorial integrity and the stability of the Federation are integral to the future of our nation, and we must fight, by sword if necessary, to maintain it”.

Stuck in the Middle
_{North Australia abandons Middle School}
^{March 3rd}

While education is mostly a state responsibility, there's one thing most of the country has agreed on; after you finish Primary you move up to Secondary. North Australia, however, is different. Following a more American system than other states, North Australia's public schooling system went Primary (Transition to Year 6), Middle School (Year 7 to Year 9), and Secondary (Year 10 to Year 12).

An education reform was carried out and it was revealed that North Australia was seriously lacking Secondary and Middle Schools. Education Minister Lauren Moss announced that Secondary and Middle Schools will be reformed to be more in line with the rest of the country; the final 6 years of education at the same school. This means a number of schools will be upgraded, and all middle schools will be renamed. Schools in Darwin and Mparntwe (Alice Springs) have been prioritised and will become Secondary (7-12) schools by 2029, with other schools to be phased out by 2035. Listed below are the renamed schools in the two aforementioned cities;

Darwin Secondary College (Merger of Darwin High School and Darwin Middle School)
Dripstone Secondary School (Formerly Dripstone Middle School)
Nightcliff High School (Formerly Nightcliff Middle School)
Mparntwe High School (Formerly Centralian Middle School)
Malak High School (Formerly Sanderson Middle School)

The Metropolitan

The Curious Case of Emany Likambe
By Ndombe Mbuyi

(2 October 2023 / Le métropolite) - It seems like the plot to a badly-written B movie: an ambassador found penniless and living in the streets because his government hadn't paid him in over two years. Yet this is exactly the situation that Emany Mata Likambe - the Zairian ambassador to Poland - found himself in.

Likambe was born on 10 September 1933 in the city of Leopoldville in what was then Belgian Congo. He received a bachelor's degree in business management from the College St. Joseph in Brussels, Belgium. Likambe entered politics shortly after the country's independence in 1960 as a member of the Parti National du Peuple (PNP). His career in the PNP was largely unremarkable.

In 1964 Joseph-Désiré Mobutu overthrew the government of Moïse Tshombe and Joseph Kasa-Vubu and took personal control of the country. In 1967, Mobutu gave the country a new constitution. Aside from concentrating power into Mobutu's hands, the new constitution also created the Popular Movement of the Revolution (Mouvement Populaire de la Révolution - MPR). This marked the transformation of Zaire into a one-party state. On 10 August, the regime seized the assets of the Alliance des Bakongo and banned the party on 22 September. The founding of new parties was also made illegal, and all remaining political parties that had not already been dissolved were banned or absorbed into the MPR. Among these parties was the PNP, whose members faced the choice of either joining the MPR or facing arrest. Likambe, like most of his colleagues, chose the former.

He started his career in Mobutu's regime as a Secretary of the Council of State of Zaire in 1968. He later transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1969, serving until 1970. In his time in these posts, he had proven himself to be politically reliable in the eyes of the regime. He was thereafter made director of the European Office of Zaire Press Agency in Belgium. Likambe served as a Counsellor for the Permanent Mission of Zaire to the United Nations starting in 1972. Like many Zairian officials living abroad, Likambe enjoyed a lavish lifestyle. He rented an upscale penthouse apartment in Manhattan, dined in some of the most expensive restaurants, and spent exorbitant sums of money on luxury clothing. It wasn't all sunshine and daisies, however; in 1973 Likambe came into conflict with the New York City police department when his car was towed. In the 1980s, Likambe was a member of Zaire's embassy to the Soviet Union before he and two other diplomats were expelled in 1987, in retaliation for Zaire expelling three Soviet diplomats.

Likambe became Zaire's ambassador to Poland in 1989. By this point, the war was going badly for Zaire, which meant that funding for diplomats was very low on the regime's priority list. The entire Zairian embassy to Poland therefore consisted of Likambe and his two secretaries. Likambe nevertheless resolved to conduct his duties with dignity. By 1993 the situation back home had become untenable and all foreign diplomats were recalled. Shortly after this recall, the Mobutu regime was overthrown in a bloody coup d'etat that all but destroyed the Zairian government.

This was the beginning of Likambe's problems. Shortly before the coup, the Zairian government allocated a total of around US$5.2 million to its embassy in Poland. This amount allowed the embassy staff to settle any debts and return to Zaire. At least, that was the plan. It seems that in the chaos of the coup, Likambe's secretaries decided to do the most Zairian thing possible - pocketing the money for themselves. While there is little certainty around these events, we do know that on the morning of 2 February 1993 Likambe awoke to find the embassy deserted. After unsuccessfully trying to contact his secretaries for two whole days, he made his way to the Warsaw office of the National Bank of Poland only to find that the embassy's account had been emptied the day before. Likambe tried again to contact his secretaries to no avail. To this day, the two have not been found.

By early 1994, Likambe's remaining funds had run out and he was ejected from his flat. His attempts to contact the Congolese government and inform them of his plight were caught up in the mangled mess of the country's postwar bureaucracy. They never made their way to the upper echelons of the provisional government. Polish officials were aware of Likambe's situation but were also unsuccessful in raising his plight with the Congolese government. After selling his car and personal belongings Likambe eventually became homeless and lived at the Warsaw railway station. The Polish authorities did not discover that he was homeless until November 1995, after he was attacked by other homeless people who stole his glasses. Afterwards, the Polish government rented him an apartment. This discovery brought Likambe to international attention, though he would remain in Poland until 1999. That year, the new government paid for Likambe to return to the DRC.

Though this seemed like a fitting resolution, Likambe's story didn't end there. In 2018, a group of students from the University of Kinshasa aiming to create a documentary film of Likambe's experiences made another surprising discovery: the man had apparently been dead for five years! He died in his home in 2013 at the age of 80. His family neglected to report his death to the officials and quietly buried him in their ancestral graveyard in Makala. In doing so, they were able to continue collecting his civil service and old-age pensions. This story was widely reported - especially on social media - and caused renewed interest in Likambe. His family was ordered to pay back the amount they had collected since his death, and the Congolese government held a formal funeral ceremony for the former diplomat.

This, at last, was the end of Likambe's story.

HAAT

North Trideshian Majiles passes legislation establishing Royal Rocket Corps and signs deal with Afsharid Persia for equipment acquisition

(March 4th / HAAT) - Today in a move aimed at increasing Trideshian technological prowess and military dominance and security on the Horn of Africa, the Majiles has passed legislation to establish the Royal Rocket Corps of North Trideshia.

The establishment of the Royal Rocket Corps highlights the commitment of the Sultana and the Adalah party government to maintaining Trideshian military dominance in the Horn of Africa and the security of the state through the embrace of advanced emerging technology. According to Prime Minister Hasaan Akbari, the creation of the Royal Rocket Corps is a major component of his governments "Force Modernization Regime: 2030", which aims modernize and reconfigure the Royal North Trideshian Security Forces (RTSF) for the conflicts and security threats of the future, and will provide the Sultanate with affordable and effective security and force projection capabilities in North East and East Africa by 2030.

In tandem with the passing of the Rocket Corps legislation, Sultana Nadiyya Mansouri has signed and entered into a pivotal security agreement with Afsharid Persia for the acquisition of state-of-the-art missile and rocket technology crucial to the operational effectiveness of the future Royal Rocket Corps.

The agreement with Afsharid Persia. By leveraging the expertise and resources of Afsharid Persia in the missile and rocket technology field, North Trideshia aims to equip its Rocket Corps with the latest in effective and affordable missile and rocket technology.

Sultana Nadiyya Mansouri has stated that the cooperation between North Trideshia and Persia underscores "the spirit of mutual cooperation and shared goals in advancing defense capabilities and fostering regional stability in West Asia and North Africa."

Stay tuned to North Trideshian Broadcasting Corporation "HAAT" for further updates on global, local, and regional affairs.

Office of the Sultana of North Trideshia | Imperial Palace of North Trideshia

Trideshian Government to establish Refugee Camps and Aid Stations in Al-Shamal Murib Governate along the border with Sudan

(March 5th / Official Communication) - In light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Republic of the Sudan, the Government of North Trideshia, under the direction of the Sultana, extends its solemn commitment to humanitarian principles and African solidarity.

With deep concern for the plight of those fleeing conflict and persecution, we announce our intention to establish refugee camps and aid stations in the Al-Shamal Murib Governate, situated along the border with Sudan. These camps will provide temporary shelter, essential services, and protection to those displaced by the brutal conflict ravaging their homeland.

This decision reflects our unwavering dedication to upholding our Christian and Islamic values of compassion, empathy, and human dignity on the international stage. North Trideshia, and her people, stand ready to play our part in alleviating the suffering displaced Sudanese citizens and to contribute meaningfully to regional efforts to address the instability in Sudan.

In extending this assistance, we call upon the greater African Community to join us in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Sudan and to support our endeavors to provide refuge and support to those in need. United, let us uphold the principles of humanity and compassion.

TRT America

From Dallas to the Ballot Box: The Impact of Turkish-Americans on Texas Primary and 2024 Election Cycle

In a striking display of political influence and unity, the Turkish-American community played a pivotal role in the Texas GOP primary, significantly contributing to Former President Donald Trump's victory. Garnering 43.4% of the vote, Trump's win was buoyed by an unprecedented mobilization of Turkish-American Republicans, who showed strong support for his candidacy as Turkish-American voting continue to reflect the high turnout seen in Türkiye amongst Turks. While on the Democratic side, President Kamala Harris makes history as she becomes the first Democrat incumbent since Clinton to win the Turkish-American vote in a primary.

The Republican Side

The Republican Turkish Coalition's (RTC) decision to endorse Trump for a third time underscored the deep political ties and mutual respect between the former President and the Turkish-American community. Sources close to RTC Chairmen Murat Yılmaz hinted at an intensive campaign to ensure historic turnout among Turkish-American Republicans, reminiscent of the 2016 primaries. This strategic move paid off, as Trump secured a plurality of the vote, with the state's 161 delegates being allocated proportionally due to the lack of a majority win. At rally in Dallas hosted by the RTC, featuring Trump alongside prominent Turkish-American political figures, showcased the former President's appeal within this vibrant community. Representatives Ayla Demir, Murat Altan, and State Senator Engin Yılmaz, among others, publicly backed Trump, contributing to a fundraising surge that broke previous records set by the Turkish diaspora in 2016 and 2020. Trump's appeal to the RTC at the rally, emphasizing his unique understanding of the community's significance, highlighted the symbiotic relationship that has developed over his tenure and beyond. His critique of Democratic attempts to overhaul lobbying practices struck a chord with attendees, reinforcing his stance as a protector of community interests.

In the weeks leading up to the primary, Trump and his rivals made concerted efforts to court the RTC, with Trump's campaign seeing a slight dip but still maintaining a commanding lead. According to TRT America's polling at the time before the endorsement, within the Turkish diaspora that identifies as Republican, Trump led with 42% support, followed closely by Vivek Ramaswamy at 35%, and Nikki Haley at 16%. Ultimately, Trump's victory in the Texas GOP primary, securing 43.4% of the vote and a proportional share of delegates, was significantly bolstered by the Turkish-American vote, with exit polls showing 64.2% support among Turkish Republicans despite earlier polls suggesting he had seen a dip in support. In the 2016 primary, Donald Trump picked up 61.8% of the vote of Turkish-Americans according to exit polls at the time.

According to sources close to the RTC, in the aftermath of Super Tuesday, the RTC is set to shift its focus towards the general election, ardently continuing its support for Donald Trump, who currently leads with 571 delegates. Amidst a closely contested race, the RTC is doubling down on its efforts to rally the Turkish-Americans in Texas of all 'political backgrounds', gearing up to launch three new election songs for Trump, adding to their already popular anthems from 2016, 2020, and the recent primary of 2024. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to galvanize and unify Turkish-Americans in the GOP who are supporting Haley and Ramaswamy, especially aiming to reclaim those who have drifted towards the Democratic side. Reports close to the RTC hint that they will treat Trump as the presumptive GOP nominee, moving full steam ahead with a campaign blitz designed to solidify Trump's support in the Turkish diaspora despite the ongoing nature of the primary.

The Democratic Side

On the Democratic front, President Kamala Harris achieved a remarkable milestone, securing an overwhelming majority of votes from Turkish Democrats in the primary. This unprecedented level of support not only highlights a shift within the community but also underscores Harris's appeal and the broader Democratic engagement among Turkish-Americans. Exit polls revealed that Harris nearly doubled the votes received by Barack Obama from the diaspora in the 2012 primary, showcasing her successful outreach and resonance with Turkish-American voters on key issues such as immigration and civil rights.

Kamala Harris's administration, characterized by a moderate approach, has achieved a remarkable feat by drawing substantial support from the traditionally right-leaning Turkish-American community. This shift reflects a broader trend of political evolution within the community, influenced by several key factors like most notably her strong approach to the southern border and pragmatic approach to governance. The last time a Democrat had won the Turkish-American vote in a primary was Bill Clinton, who had also received the support of Turkish-Americans in his 1992 primary as well.

Following the unexpected yet decisive victory for President Kamala Harris in the Texas primary in regard to Turkish-Americans, the Turkish Democratic Coalition of America (TDCA) is poised to intensify its support and advocacy efforts, building on the momentum of their January endorsement. Historically, Turkish Democrats have shown a pattern of division in their voting trends, making Harris's overwhelming support a notable deviation and a testament to the TDCA's effective mobilization and outreach. Recognizing the strategic importance of maintaining and expanding this unified front, the TDCA plans to leverage this newfound unity within the Turkish-American Democratic base. By orchestrating targeted campaigns, enhancing grassroots engagement, and further aligning with Harris's policy platforms, the TDCA aims to solidify this support base. This approach not only seeks to sustain the enthusiasm generated in the primaries but also to attract more Turkish-American voters from across the political spectrum, capitalizing on the unity and momentum achieved thus far. This effort is crucial as the TDCA prepares for a rigorous campaign trail ahead, aiming to consolidate Democratic gains and turn the tide in a historically competitive state.

What does this mean for November?

The active engagement and divergent support from the Turkish-American community for both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris set a unique stage for the upcoming general election. As it is increasingly likely that Trump will retain his frontrunner status and win his parties nomination, a 2020 rematch between Trump and Harris has already become the RTC's accepted narrative. With the RTC's strategic pivot towards the general election, reported plans in place to launch new campaign songs and initiatives aimed at unifying Republican voters, signals a robust campaign strategy that could influence not only Turkish-American voters but potentially sway undecided voters in Texas. The community's historic turnout rates, mirroring those in Türkiye, underscore the significance of their participation in shaping election outcomes. On the Democratic side, the TDCA's efforts to build on Harris's primary success highlight a proactive approach to capitalizing on this momentum. The unity among Turkish-American Democrats, a departure from past divisions, suggests a potential shift in the community's political landscape. This newfound solidarity could be instrumental in bolstering Democratic efforts in Texas, a state increasingly viewed as a battleground due to its shifting demographics and political allegiances.

The 2024 primaries have not only highlighted the Turkish-American community's political influence but also underscored its evolving political identity. The RTC's aggressive campaign strategy and the TDCA's successful mobilization efforts reflect a community that is actively shaping its political future in the United States. For Turkish-Americans, the outcome of these primaries and their role in them may redefine their political engagement and representation in American politics. The RTC's and TDCA's distinct strategies and successes offer a blueprint for future political engagement within the community. As Turkish-Americans continue to navigate their place within the broader political landscape, their participation in the 2024 election cycle will likely serve as a pivotal moment in their political history. The ability of both coalitions to mobilize and unite their respective bases may set new standards for political participation and influence among Turkish-Americans and potentially other ethnic communities within the United States.

As the general election approaches, the actions of the RTC and TDCA, along with the broader Turkish-American community, will be closely watched. Their efforts to rally support for their endorsed candidates, alongside the broader strategies of the Republican and Democratic parties to engage this vibrant community, will be key factors in the battle for Texas and potentially the presidency. The Turkish-American vote, reflective of the community's diverse political leanings and the significant efforts of both the RTC and TDCA, stands as a testament to the dynamic and influential role ethnic communities play in American electoral politics. As Texas remains a crucial battleground, the engagement, preferences, and turnout of Turkish-Americans will not only influence the 2024 election outcome but also continue to shape the political landscape for years to come.