SPD MP's take on the Ankara Summit: Turkey is a key actor, the rule of law must remain on the agenda

IŞIN ERTÜRK - STUTTGART

Macit Karaahmetoğlu, a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) who also serves on the committee for European Union affairs and is a substitute member of the Foreign Affairs, Legal, and Defense committees, stated that the NATO Summit in Ankara is one of the important milestones in the discussion of a "new security architecture" for Germany and Europe.

Macit Karaahmetoğlu, who chairs one of the most critical committees in the German Bundestag, made exclusive statements to 12punto ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara. According to the social democratic politician, the NATO Summit in Ankara is not just a military meeting, but also a test of Europe's security, democracy, and social legitimacy.

Chairing the Committee on Election Scrutiny, Immunity, and the Rules of Procedure, Macit Karaahmetoğlu drew attention to Turkey's strategic importance within NATO while emphasizing that the issues of the rule of law, freedom of the press, and judicial independence should not be left in the shadow of security policies.

Assessing Europe's new security architecture, Turkey's role in NATO, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Middle East, migration policies, and rising far-right trends, Karaahmetoğlu drew attention to the delicate balance between "security and democracy."

The social democratic politician stated that Turkey is an important actor for Europe in terms of the Black Sea, the Middle East, energy, and migration, while underlining that strategic cooperation cannot push discussions on the rule of law, an independent judiciary, and freedom of the press into the background.

Here are the questions we posed to Macit Karaahmetoğlu and his responses:

- It is assessed that the NATO Summit in Ankara will affect not only the alliance's security policies but also Europe's political and strategic orientation in the coming years. What are the most important goals of this summit for Germany? What kind of change do you expect in Europe's security architecture, transatlantic relations, and relations with Turkey following the summit?

MACİT KARAAHMETOĞLU -  I do not view the Ankara Summit merely as a military meeting. This summit is also a test of the extent to which Europe can now ensure its own security with its own resources. Three main goals stand out for Germany: strengthening NATO's deterrence, making the European pillar more responsible, and placing support for Ukraine on a long-term, predictable footing.

Data from recent years shows that this transformation is accelerating. According to NATO data, as of 2025, the total defense spending of alliance members has exceeded 1.3 trillion dollars, and the spending of European countries and Canada has increased by more than 30 percent in the last three years. Germany, for its part, exceeded the 2 percent target for the first time in 2024, reaching a defense budget of approximately 90 billion euros. These increases are considered a concrete indicator of the political will to assume more of Europe's security responsibility.

It is clearly seen in the statements of the Federal Government that the center of the Ankara agenda is Europe assuming more responsibility, burden-sharing, defense capabilities, and the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine. For Germany, this means the following: Security policy is no longer just about reacting in moments of crisis; it means building defense industry, supply chains, air defense, cyber security, and coordination capacity within Europe.

The summit is also important in terms of relations with Turkey. Turkey is a key actor on NATO's southeastern flank, in areas such as the Black Sea, the Middle East, migration, and energy security. According to NATO data, Turkey has the second-largest land army within the alliance and plays a critical role in terms of operational capacity with approximately 450 thousand active soldiers. However, security cooperation should not mean taking the issues of democracy and the rule of law off the agenda. On the contrary, a true strategic partnership can only be permanent on a ground where security interests and democratic principles can be addressed together.

As for Turkey, considering freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and political trials, it is clearly seen that there are very serious human rights violations in these areas. Therefore, it is clear that there are areas where Turkey needs to make changes when it comes to justice and legal reliability, and Turkey must absolutely change its stance on this issue.

THE TENSION BETWEEN DEMOCRACY DISCOURSE AND SECURITY POLICIES

- Germany and the European Union have been criticizing developments in Turkey in the areas of the rule of law, judicial independence, freedom of the press, and human rights for many years. Despite this, the NATO Summit is being held in Ankara at a time when these very discussions are ongoing, and Turkey is emerging as a more important partner than ever in Europe's security policies. How do you evaluate this tension that has emerged between Europe's principles on democracy and human rights and its security and geopolitical interests? With what concrete policies does Germany aim to establish this balance?

MACİT KARAAHMETOĞLU - This tension is real and should not be ignored. The European Union and Germany must cooperate with Turkey in the field of security because Turkey is a NATO member and has an indispensable geographical and political position in terms of European security. However, this necessity cannot mean the postponement of criticisms regarding the rule of law, judicial independence, freedom of the press, and human rights.

The European Commission's 2025 Turkey report reveals serious concerns regarding freedom of expression, media pluralism, judicial independence, and judicial processes against the opposition. While Turkey continues to be in the "not free" category in Freedom House's 2026 report, Turkey ranks 158th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' Press Freedom Index. The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights also called for reforms in Turkey in 2026 in the areas of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and judicial independence.

The balance that Germany must establish is this: Open channels should be maintained with Turkey on defense, migration, energy, and regional crises; however, the rule of law, an independent judiciary, and media freedom must also be on the agenda of every high-level contact. For the SPD, foreign policy can neither be reduced to mere interest-based policy nor to a value discourse detached from reality. The social democratic line sees values and interests not as two elements against each other, but as two elements that limit and balance each other.

HOW DOES THE POLITICAL CLIMATE IN TURKEY AFFECT THE NATO SUMMIT?

- Ahead of the NATO Summit, judicial processes against opposition politicians in Turkey, arrests, and pressure on independent media have caused widespread repercussions in the international public opinion. There are over 4 million people of Turkish origin living in Germany, and these people are following these developments closely. In your opinion, how does this political atmosphere affect the international message of the NATO Summit? At what level and with what methods does the German government and the SPD plan to bring up the issues of democracy and the rule of law with Turkey while continuing cooperation in the field of security?

MACİT KARAAHMETOĞLU - The political atmosphere in the host country of a summit directly affects the international message of the summit. The Ankara Summit wants to send a message of unity, security, and deterrence; however, at the same time, judicial processes against opposition politicians, pressure on the press, and bans on demonstrations create question marks in the international public opinion.

International news agencies have brought to the agenda investigations against journalists in Turkey, lawsuits filed due to social media posts, and judicial processes against some mayors in recent months. Organizations such as Reuters and Deutsche Welle point out that political tension has increased, especially after the local elections. These developments lead to the discussion of not only the security but also the democratic legitimacy dimension of the summit.

In the German Foreign Ministry's travel warning for Turkey, it is stated that security measures have been increased in Ankara around the NATO Summit, that meeting and demonstration restrictions will be applied, and that news of detentions has appeared in the media. This picture makes it necessary to talk about not only the security but also the democratic legitimacy dimension of the summit.

For Germany and the SPD, the right approach is not to leave democracy issues behind closed doors while continuing security cooperation with Turkey. These topics should be brought up concretely in intergovernmental meetings, inter-parliamentary contacts, Council of Europe and EU mechanisms, and also in relations with civil society. People who demand democracy in Turkey and those who are unjustly held in high-security prisons should not be left alone. I find the demands directed at Chancellor Merz regarding the direct communication of this issue to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the summit to be correct. I think this is the most correct way for Germany's message to be conveyed clearly and netly.

TURKEY, GEOPOLITICAL SITUATION, AND THE MIDDLE EAST: EXPECTATIONS  

- NATO member Turkey is currently in the position of a key actor that can establish a dialogue with Russia, maintain contacts with Ukraine, and is an important actor in the Middle East on the issues of Gaza, Syria, Iran, and migration. What concrete results does Germany expect from the Ankara Summit regarding these crisis areas? What kind of role do you foresee Turkey assuming in terms of European security and regional stability in the coming period?

MACİT KARAAHMETOĞLU - Turkey's geopolitical role is indisputable. Being a NATO member, its access to the Black Sea, maintaining contact channels with Russia and Ukraine, and its influence on the issues of Syria, Gaza, Iran, and migration make Turkey an important actor in terms of European security. Turkey also plays a critical role in terms of Europe's migration management by hosting approximately 3.2 million registered Syrian refugees. This situation increases the strategic importance of migration agreements between the EU and Turkey.

The concrete topics expected from the Ankara Summit for Germany are: continuing support for Ukraine, strengthening deterrence against Russia, increasing defense industry production capacity, and making the European pillar within NATO more effective. It is seen in the statements of NATO and the German government that the priorities before the Ankara Summit are burden-sharing, defense capabilities, defense industry cooperation, and Ukraine.

The expectation from Turkey is clear: to assume a constructive, predictable role that strengthens alliance solidarity within NATO. Turkey can offer important contributions to Black Sea security, migration management, ensuring stability in Syria, and reducing tension in the Middle East. However, the lasting impact of these contributions will be possible by strengthening the principle of the rule of law internally and increasing predictability in foreign policy.

THE ANKARA SHOWCASE AND THE REALITIES OF SOCIETY

- Ahead of the NATO Summit, comprehensive road renovations, landscaping, and urban improvement works were carried out in Ankara. These works led to intense discussions regarding the use of public resources in Turkey. At a time when high inflation, increasing poverty, and millions of retirees, minimum wage earners, teachers, and students are experiencing economic difficulties, it is criticized that the state prioritizes preparing the city for an international summit. How do you evaluate this discussion? In your opinion, should a country's international reputation be measured more by the major organizations it hosts, or by the quality of life, social welfare, and rule of law standards of its citizens? Do you think this social dimension finds enough place in the political dialogue Germany conducts with Turkey?

MACİT KARAAHMETOĞLU - The opposition or journalists in Turkey are already expressing their views on issues related to social justice. Social structuring is a matter related to the country's own internal politics.

However, what I can say is this: International summits are of course important for the host country. Preparing the city, ensuring security, and arranging transportation and infrastructure are normal. It is also reported in Anadolu Agency's news that protocol routes, landscaping, and renovation works are being carried out in Ankara. Every country that hosts such a large summit naturally wants to host its guests in the best way possible.

SECURITY POLICIES AND DEMOCRACY

- The NATO Summit in Ankara is being held at a time when Donald Trump is the US President again, the AfD has become a real alternative to power in Germany, and criticisms of NATO, globalization, and the existing security order are increasing in many European countries. In your opinion, is NATO under pressure today more from a military perspective, or from a social and political perspective? Which concrete decisions to be taken at the summit can give the message to the European public that NATO is in alliance for its future? What consequences could the failure to take such decisions and the resulting increase in support for the far-right and anti-NATO political movements have for Europe?

MACİT KARAAHMETOĞLU - NATO is undergoing a serious transformation militarily today, but I think its biggest test is in the field of social and political legitimacy. The European public is waiting for convincing answers to the questions: "Why is more defense spending necessary?", "Will this burden be shared fairly?", "Is NATO just a military structure, or is it a security alliance of democratic societies?"

According to Eurobarometer surveys, although approximately 70 percent of EU citizens see NATO as important in terms of security, support for increasing defense spending shows significant differences from country to country. In recent public opinion research conducted in Germany, support for increasing the defense budget hovers around 50 percent. This situation increases the importance of political communication.

The fact that the AfD became the second-largest group with 152 seats in the 2025 Bundestag elections in Germany shows that every gap in security policy can be exploited by the far-right. Therefore, the decisions to come out of the Ankara Summit should not be limited to defense budget figures. The following message should be given to the European public: NATO is not just about more armament; it is a project to protect Europe's peace, freedom, democracy, and social stability.

Concretely, three decisions would be critical: long-term and reliable support for Ukraine; strengthening Europe's defense capabilities in a way that reduces dependence on the US; and balancing defense spending with democratic oversight, transparency, and social priorities. If the summit only gives the message of "more spending," the far-right will turn this into the rhetoric of "they are spending the people's money abroad." If the summit explains security together with democracy, the rule of law, and social justice, the message that NATO is the alliance of the future will be given much more strongly.

For me, the main issue is this: Security is not an alternative to democracy. Security exists to protect democracy. The success of the Ankara Summit will also be measured by whether it can establish this balance.