Can Okar

The Ankara Governor’s Twitter account calls the attack on Kılıçdaroğlu a “deplorable protest”. They should call it what is was: a bunch of Neanderthal thugs trying to lynch a 61 year old man. It was a disgusting and cowardly assassination-attempt.

It’s worthy of investigation how a police force that can stop even 3 opposition protestors from chanting a slogan has allowed a crowd of 200 to attack the opposition leader.

When thousands if not millions gather in Maltepe today to celebrate a long-awaited victory, I hope İmamoğlu asks the crowds to respect our Sri Lankan friends’ memories with a moment of silence.

Today should have been a joyous day in the Christian world but is instead tinged with sadness. We should all have Sri Lanka in our hearts. This Easter Sunday is for them a day of tragedy and sorrow - may all the victims Rest In Peace.

Our new Mayor says he won’t bus in supporters for his first big meeting. AKP has been using state cash for years to have Nuremberg-style meetings. I can’t be in Maltepe this time but you all need to be there. Seriously. Go.https://twitter.com/t24comtr/status/1119598520271626240 …

And before my trolls start about FETÖ: you know and I know and everyone knows this was never about FETÖ. It was broader and it was civil death by diktat.

“Do you think the thousands of people we sacked without due process might have voted against us?”https://twitter.com/nateschenkkan/status/1119670995793711104 …

Although this beats the other perennial Middle East conversation: “So why did Erdoğan lose? People here love him.” “They obviously don’t live in Turkey.” “But whatever you say, he’s created an economic miracle.” “Have you been asleep since 2013?”

I love the level of detail required to smalltalk about Turkey. Polish woman: “I’m Polish.” Us: “Cool. You know we have a place called Polonezköy in Istanbul?” *a lot of chat about Polonezköy* Us: “OMG, the cakes are amazing!” PW: “Which ones?” Us: “Er, another topic maybe?”

My friend is wrong on this one. These are records that “belong” to the city. The new leadership should absolutely ensure their continuity. Don’t forget, these cities were likely functionally bankrupt on arrival. You need to be able to prove that once things go wrong.https://twitter.com/06jank/status/1119269672954802176 …

Do you know what’s the best part of this short visit? My mum and aunt, two perennial pessimists, have hope for the future. That is what this election has given Turkey. Hope is the most powerful of drugs - and it’s pretty contagious.

The one question everyone has asked me so far (as the family’s “herbokolog”): will there be a re-run? My answer has been simple: I have no idea but if they push this too far, it will be the death of their entire legitimacy. Either way, the opposition has won for now.

I’m back in Istanbul for a few hours. Some notes: - the traffic is better - the economy has improved - the sun is shining Nah, only joking. It will take time for Mayor İmamoğlu to have an impact but I have to say, not seeing AKP posters everywhere is enough for now.

I think the AKP should hire Fatih Terim to represent the case. “Everything is something happened. Just look at the tutana...”

Also, who had "Eeeey Financial Times" in the sweepstakes? You're in the money, boys, in the money.

Turkish President says Financial Times "can write whatever it wants". Isn't that the problem? Local media has very strict guardrails but international media (which investors actually read) can tell the truth. Noteworthy that he doesn't deny the story about ailing reserves.