Political crisis in Turkey could be a window of opportunity for Armenia, expert says

For the first time since 2016, Turkey is facing a serious political crisis, says Varuzhan Geghamyan, a geopolitical strategist and regional security expert. He highlights the ruling party’s weakening, the opposition’s strengthening and deep-rooted economic and social issues as key factors fueling the unrest.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu appeared before police for questioning on terror-related charges on Saturday, a day after his interrogation over corruption allegations. His arrest this week has sparked widespread protests across Turkey, with demonstrators rallying in multiple cities to voice their opposition.

"The opposition has planned mass demonstrations for Sunday, expected to be the largest since 2013, while the government is preparing to suppress them," Geghamyan said in a social media post.

Beyond its internal struggles, Turkey remains entangled in conflicts involving Syria, Kurdish issues and the Ukraine crisis, which constrains President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ability to maneuver in foreign policy, he said.

"In the current situation, Turkey's pressure on the South Caucasus may temporarily ease as its priorities shift. This could significantly weaken Azerbaijan, whose capabilities are far more limited without Turkey’s support, and create a window of opportunity for us," Geghamyan stated, urging the Armenian government to seize the strategic opportunity.