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
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
