Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 08/09/2026“most mainstream politicians … try to remain in power by arguing that they are the lesser evil … If democratic parties do not develop inspiring manifestos for what they want to achieve in government, liberal democrats will refuse to come out to vote and the far right will win a majority of votes” 032
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Conceding electoral defeat is democratic, but congratulating the far right normalizes it. Normalizing extreme ideas is a big reason the mainstream everywhere has lost support for years. amp.dw.com/en/cdu-conce...amp.dw.comCDU concedes defeat as AfD tops Saxony-Anhalt vote"We're going to have to live with this result," the CDU's lead candidate Sven Schulze said after congratulating the AfD on becoming the state's strongest party. 010
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 07/09/2026This is what happens when the mainstream normalizes the far right by catering to far-right voters without offering a substantive policy agenda of its own. 000
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 03/08/2026“Nearly 200 private colleges borrowed from restricted endowments in 2025, [sometimes without the donors’ knowledge].” www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...wsj.comThe Struggling Colleges Raiding Their Endowments to Pay the BillsIt’s the last resort for institutions on the brink: tapping restricted funds from donors to keep the lights on. 000
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 30/07/2026FIFA’s already very prone to corruption. Infantino’s plan to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup & other FIFA competitions to private investors would create even more rent-seeking. UEFA is right to object. When public goods are governed by private interests, profit trumps accountability. 010
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 17/06/2026Well, this is a first! EU Parliament calls for sanctions on Turkey’s justice minister. www.turkishminute.com/2026/06/17/e...turkishminute.comEuropean Parliament adopts report urging EU sanctions on Turkey’s justice minister - Turkish MinuteThe European Parliament on Wednesday adopted a report urging the European Union to consider human rights sanctions against Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, naming the former İstanbul chief public... 040
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 15/06/2026Academic research now confirms what many of us already suspected: Brands can easily post promotional content on platforms such as Reddit, Quora, Wikipedia, etc. and use it to manipulate the outputs of AI tools. 051
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 11/06/2026There’s been debate over which chant would be used to support Turkey’s national team at the World Cup. I think that debate is now over. The Turkish Football Federation has just shared the national team anthem prepared at the instruction of President Erdoğan. 100
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 11/06/2026Apparently, this was not as clear as I thought: The ESN group and the ESN party are different entities. The possible ban would apply to the party only and cut off EU funding(~€2 in 2026). Far-right MEPs would still keep their seats in the European Parliament. www.politico.eu/article/eu-w...politico.euBrussels watchdog moves to ban Alternative for Germany’s EU partyThe far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations could lose its funding and its right to be a political party. 000
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 28/05/2026TI report below suggests concerns about ineffective rule of law reforms in Albania are still very real since I posted this (bsky.app/profile/mert...) back in November: 110
Reposted by Mert KartalAlberto Alemanno @alemanno.bsky.social · 28/05/2026After years of institutional paralysis, the otherwise obscure Authority for EU Political Parties has finally discovered its monitoring mandate. The target? The AfD. The EPP's biggest headache in Germany. A mere coincidence? substack.com/home/post/p-... 0117
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 24/05/2026The decision to shut down Bilgi has been reversed. The president of Turkey’s Higher Education Council says the initial move was a “mandatory legal procedure,” but that President Erdoğan later acted “sensitively” toward the concerns of students, families, and university staff. 011
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 24/05/2026Past experience suggests a much harsher crackdown may be coming. Those resisting would be detained. It’d not be surprising to ultimately see efforts to strip Özgür Özel of immunity for inciting public hatred & hostility. And given where we’re, noone would be shocked to see Kılıçdaroğlu support it. 030
Reposted by Mert KartalHoward Eissenstat @heissenstat.bsky.social · 22/05/2026The shit that we insisted was going to happen in Turkey finally happened just as we predicted. The only difference is that, ten years down the line, barely anybody outside of Turkey even cares anymore... 03611
Reposted by Mert KartalHoward Eissenstat @heissenstat.bsky.social · 24/05/2026Hard to overstate how sharp Turkey's descent into unvarnished authoritarianism is right now; at one point this would be major news, a cause of consternation in Brussels and Washington. Today, it seems to barely cause raised eyebrows. 114531
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 24/05/2026In case anyone outside Turkey still cares, today marks another turning point for Turkish “democracy.” A major threshold has been crossed. 01711
Reposted by Mert KartalRuth Michaelson @ruthmichaelson.com · 21/05/2026A Turkish court today removed the head of the country's main opposition party, clearing the way for his predecessor to return. His predecessor already lost to Erdoğan in an election in 2023 – and is viewed as a far more convenient opposition leader for the Turkish president.theguardian.comTurkish court ruling removes head of main opposition partyRuling annuls 2023 CHP leadership contest and deposes Özgür Özel, the face of opposition to Erdoğan 153
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 21/05/2026Istanbul Bilgi University, which I am proud to have graduated from, has been shut down. 151
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 21/05/2026Özgür Özel: “The regime is offering me the chance to sit in opposition for 30 years as long as I don’t disturb it. This country doesn’t need party leaders who enjoy sitting in opposition until they’re 80 years old. It needs a leader who builds a government capable of solving the people’s problems.” 020
Reposted by Mert KartalSinem Adar @sinemadar.bsky.social · 21/05/2026This is going to be minority opinion but I see the likelihood of an early election lower today than yesterday. CHP under KK leadership might act aligned with the AKP, but this might have the reverse effect of antagonising its own base.The US/Israel-Iran war makes economic repair more difficult. 1168
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 21/05/2026www.sozcu.com.tr/iktidarin-pl... predicts the following: 1.Kilicdaroglu removes current CHP leadership 2.Erdogan calls a snap election later this year 3.Kilicdaroglu reshapes CHP’s candidate lists, which further divides CHP 4.Erdogan raises wages and gets DEM’s support by giving“status” to Ocalansozcu.com.trİktidarın planı bu: Bundan sonra bunları bekleyin - Sözcü GazetesiYargı eliyle CHP’yi dağıtma planında bir eşik daha aşıldı. Kılıçdaroğlu “Kimse susmamı beklemesin” diyerek parti içi muhalefet bayrağını açtı. ‘Butlana hazırım’ mesajı verdi. 110
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 07/05/2026AI use rising, Canvas getting hacked, students' final work unavailable just as grades are due... The old analog options, in-person examples, offline gradebooks, are starting to look more attractive than ever. 020
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 07/05/2026I get nervous whenever the EU lends money to member states or external partners. Without effective monitoring and enforcement, we know aid incentivizes rent-seeking and corruption. It's always safe to assume anyone can be corruptible when the right checks and balances are not in place. 020
Reposted by Mert KartalUrsula von der Leyen @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu · 07/05/2026Over the next two days, Poland and Lithuania will be the first countries to sign SAFE loan agreements. These two plans alone are over €50 billion, to close critical capability gaps and keep our Eastern flank safe. 928260
Reposted by Mert KartalCas Mudde @casmudde.bsky.social · 07/05/2026To fight the far right, we need to learn the right lessons. Do not make them look stronger than they are, but also don’t write them off because one of them loses an election. My new op-Ed in the Guardian makes a couple of points 🧵theguardian.comTrump may be toxic and Orbán is gone, but Europe’s far right is not in decline | Cas MuddeLet’s not draw the wrong conclusions from Hungary’s election or the US president’s troubles, says political scientist Cas Mudde 310844
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 07/05/2026Hungary's pushing the EU to release the full €10b in frozen EU funds. Yes, Magyar's election is reason for optimism, but the Commission should take a slower approach tied to governance reforms. Given past traumas under Orban, unfreezing the entire €10b without meaningful progress could be a mistake. 020
Reposted by Mert KartalHoward Eissenstat @heissenstat.bsky.social · 02/05/2026For the love of God, having "black friends" does not mean you are not racist. Having "Jewish friends" does not mean you are not antisemitic.media.tenor.coma woman is talking about having black friends .ALT: a woman is talking about having black friends . 283
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 23/04/2026Aid to Ukraine passed after the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline carrying Russian oil through Ukraine to Slovakia & Hungary. That repair somehow took months and “somehow” wrapped up soon after Hungary’s election. A few notes: 1.Ukraine repays the no-interest loan only if Russia pays reparations… 110
Reposted by Mert KartalHoward Eissenstat @heissenstat.bsky.social · 22/04/2026Quite aside from them cutting dozens of mostly liberal arts majors, apparently, "Syracusing" is a common verb amongst admissions staff at SLACs. It refers to SU poaching admitted students with last minute additional financial aid to ensure that they go to Syracuse rather than another college. 131
Reposted by Mert KartalHoward Eissenstat @heissenstat.bsky.social · 22/04/2026Turkish hive mind: I'm looking for intensive Turkish lessons in Istanbul for a fifteen year old this summer. Any suggestions for schools? 055
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 22/04/2026The US and Iran repeatedly failing at bargaining over the last few weeks is clearly very unfortunate. On the bright side, I now have a fresh case study for teaching Fearon’s rationalist explanations for war in my IR class this fall. 000
Reposted by Mert KartalAnand Menon @anandmenon.bsky.social · 18/04/2026Me on why it is important that the UK understands where the EU is on Brexit inews.co.uk/news/world/e...inews.co.ukEurope doesn't care about the UK - we're deludedThe story of Brexit has, in part, been one of Britain misunderstanding the European Union 4307
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 18/04/2026What I’ve learned from energy experts in Germany is that there are several reasons for Germany’s insistence on not using nuclear energy. One is the trauma caused by the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters. 100
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 18/04/2026A successful negotiation leaves both sides feeling the deal is fair even if neither side gets everything they want. If one side feels like they “won” at the expense of the other, the deal will probably not last. 011
Reposted by Mert KartalR. Daniel Kelemen @rdanielkelemen.bsky.social · 16/04/2026My take on the Hungarian election in @lawfaremedia.org www.lawfaremedia.org/article/how-...lawfaremedia.orgHow Hungary Escaped Electoral AutocracyViktor Orbán’s defeat will have consequences for the country, Europe, and aspiring autocrats around the world. 02710
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 15/04/2026Magyar’s Tisza is more anti-Putin & pro-EU than Orbán’s Fidesz. But their European Parliament voting shows less distance on immigration & Ukraine than many expect. Magyar will likely work with 🇪🇺 to unlock frozen funds & not veto aid to🇺🇦. Still, Ukraine’s EU accession may not be high on his agenda. 030
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 15/04/2026Research shows pro-democracy wins in authoritarian systems often fall short: New leaders keep unfair rules and/or old regime loyalists block reform. In Hungary, Magyar has 2/3 majority & strong ties to democracies. There's reason for hope but only if he's genuinely committed to democratic change. 0124
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 12/04/2026This is a major moment for Hungary. The country now has a real chance to move back toward electoral democracy. Expecting much more in the short term would be unrealistic. 0225
Reposted by Mert KartalSzabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 12/04/2026💥🇭🇺🗳️ BREAKING: Péter Magyar says Viktor Orbán called to concede and congratulate him. Magyar will be Hungary’s next prime minister and, as it stands, is set to secure a 2/3 supermajority – enough to fully dismantle Orbán’s system. A 16-year chapter is over. 722344705
Reposted by Mert KartalGabriela Greilinger @gabrielagreilinger.com · 12/04/2026Viktor Orbán has congratulated Péter Magyar! #Hungary 729464
Reposted by Mert KartalKim Lane Scheppele @kimlanelaw.bsky.social · 12/04/2026Here's the map with 1/3rd of the votes counted. Tisza = blue; Fidesz = orange. The strength of the color tells you how far ahead the lead party is. It's a blow-out. Fidesz strongholds are falling to Tisza. 723482
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 12/04/2026Votes cast at embassies will be counted only after they are sent in on April 17. So, the final result may not be known until April 18, which would matter only if the race is very close. 010
Reposted by Mert KartalKim Lane Scheppele @kimlanelaw.bsky.social · 12/04/2026Votes are starting to come in -- with 3% of the vote counted, Tisza is on track for 91 seats to Fidesz 76, with many to be called. 100 necessary for a majority, 133 for a constitutional majority (2/3rds vote can change the constitution). vtr.valasztas.hu/ogy2026?filt...vtr.valasztas.huNemzeti Választási Iroda - Országgyűlési képviselők választásaVálasztási szervek - Nemzeti Választási Iroda 03411
Reposted by Mert Kartalmathieu gallard @mathieugallard.bsky.social · 12/04/2026🗳️ Dans le sondage Medián réalisé ces derniers jours, on voyait l'avantage massif de l'opposition chez les jeunes (73% vs 11%), alors que le Fidesz de Viktor Orban restait dominant chez les 50 ans et plus. 1276
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 12/04/2026The all-time-high voter turnout in Hungary does not necessarily favor either the government or the opposition. Both sides have been mobilizing their supporters heavily. What is clear is that Hungarian voters are deeply aware of the importance of this election. 081
Reposted by Mert KartalGabriela Greilinger @gabrielagreilinger.com · 12/04/2026Beyond electoral politics, the far right is well-connected through various "think tanks" and other organisations. The Orbán government has also spent tons of money on funding various GONGOs and "think tanks" that will most likely survive and are linked to far-right organisations in other countries. 6337
Reposted by Mert KartalSzabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 12/04/2026👀🗳️ When polls close in Hungary at 7pm, there won’t be proper exit polls. Instead, some reliable independent pollsters will release embargoed surveys conducted just days before the vote. Their results are in line with their previous, already published findings (no surprises). 8289107
Reposted by Mert KartalGabriela Greilinger @gabrielagreilinger.com · 12/04/2026Historic turnout in 🇭🇺 – 66% as of 3pm. We will likely have surpassed 2022's turnout (70.2%) by 5pm. I don't dare to draw any conclusions or make predictions based on turnout data alone, but let's just say: Hungarians know how consequential this election is, and they are mobilising in huge numbers. 37129
Mert Kartal @mertkartal.bsky.social · 12/04/2026If democracy in Europe is to improve any time soon, that change has to begin in Hungary today. 0112