Turkey is counting down to critical presidential and parliamentary elections set for Sunday, with millions of voters expected at the polls. The outcome of the May 14 elections could either extend President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's tenure into a third decade or set the country on a new course in the centennial year of the Republic. Following last year's changes to the electoral system, political parties have conducted months of negotiations to determine their supported candidates and alliance structures. A 20-question quiz is provided to test knowledge on presidential candidates, alliances, and the electoral system.

In Hungary, a six-party alliance formed to defeat Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been in power since 2010, failed in the elections held on April 3, 2022. Despite the opposition's unity and the selection of a conservative mayor, Peter Marki-Zay, as their joint candidate, Orban's party Fidesz won 135 seats out of 199 in the Hungarian parliament, while the alliance, led by Marki-Zay, secured only 56. The election saw a 70% turnout, and Orban's victory allowed him to maintain the two-thirds majority needed to amend the constitution. The opposition's failure is attributed to structural issues such as the constitution, election laws favoring Fidesz, financial constraints, and lack of media support. Marki-Zay criticizes the current system, which heavily favors Orban, and suggests that without significant changes, defeating Orban is improbable. The article also draws parallels with the political situation in Turkey, where six parties have united for an upcoming election, and Marki-Zay offers insights on combating authoritarian regimes.

Ali Babacan, the leader of the DEVA Party, expressed disappointment at the lack of official Turkish participation at the 53rd World Economic Forum in Davos. He emphasized Turkey's importance as one of the world's largest economies and urged international attendees to maintain confidence in Turkey. Babacan avoided discussing domestic Turkish politics, focusing instead on global issues such as democracy's evolution, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on energy, and the collective effort required to address climate change. He also mentioned his participation in panels discussing these topics and the importance of representing Turkey's significance on such international platforms.

The European Political Community, proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to include non-EU countries in political decision-making processes. Its first meeting, scheduled for October 6 in Prague, will include EU countries, the UK, and Turkey. The project seeks to address the EU's operational challenges with a larger number of states and is seen by some as an alternative to Turkey's EU membership. The inaugural meeting will discuss security, stability, energy, climate, transportation, and economic issues, with a focus on Russia's attack on Ukraine, the energy crisis, and the economic situation.

Turkey has reiterated its objections to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan labeling the Nordic countries as a 'hatchery' for terror groups, specifically pointing to the presence of PKK activists. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu demands explicit security guarantees and the lifting of export bans on defense goods from these countries. Despite the Turkish nationalist party leader's warning against NATO's expansion, other NATO members and experts believe Turkey will not ultimately block the membership but may seek concessions. Dr Paul Levin and Sinan Ülgen suggest that domestic politics and Turkey's desire to rejoin the F-35 project and have the arms embargo lifted are influencing its stance. Matthew Bryza, a former US diplomat, acknowledges Turkey's strategic concerns but believes Turkey will eventually agree to the Nordic countries' accession to NATO.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will visit Germany from September 27 to 29, 2018, at the invitation of his counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The visit gains significance due to recent tensions between the two countries, the chill in Ankara-Washington relations, and the Turkish economic crisis. The article discusses five main challenges: trust issues stemming from Germany's stance on Turkish political rallies, economic factors including investment and the Customs Union, the role of the Diyanet İşleri Türk İslam Birliği (DİTİB) in Germany, the problem of German prisoners in Turkey, and the extradition of NATO officers after the failed coup attempt. The article also touches on the broader implications for Turkey's relationship with the EU and the political climate within Turkey.

Turkmenistan is constructing a 745 km security wall along its border with Afghanistan to protect against the Taliban. Despite increased border security and troop deployment, analysts doubt the effectiveness of these measures. Turkmenistan faces a potential claim from Afghan Turkmen, who desire lands rich in natural gas reserves that their ancestors left during Soviet rule. Russian historian Alexandre Kniazev claims Turkmen militants within the Taliban control areas near these gas fields. Some Turkmen analysts believe Russian soldiers are the only reliable protection for Turkmenistan's border following Western withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's annual salary, which was between $2.856 million from 2008 to 2012, was reduced by 28% to $1.7 million after public outcry. This amount equals the combined salaries of the leaders of France, Germany, the UK, Italy, and Japan. The second highest-paid leader is US President Barack Obama, with an annual salary of $400,000, significantly higher than many other world leaders.

According to the independent research institute Numbeo, France has the best healthcare system in Europe. Numbeo, based in Serbia, periodically researches countries' healthcare systems, analyzing the training and skill of healthcare personnel, the speed of service, as well as healthcare equipment and costs. In Numbeo's research, France scored 82.12 points, ranking first, while Macedonia was at the bottom with 35.12 points. Turkey ranked 11th with 74 points, just above the United Kingdom, which scored 73.88 points and ranked 13th.

The article lists seven lesser-known European countries that are worth visiting for their unique attractions and experiences. These include Serbia for its quiet mountain retreats and historical sites; Luxembourg for its picturesque landscapes and castles; Liechtenstein for its rich history and ski resorts; Belarus for its green, clean cities and hospitable culture; Albania for its archaeological sites, pristine beaches, and mountainous regions; Slovakia for its medieval castles, national parks, and caves; and Latvia for its dynamic city life and natural beauty.

The article discusses the growing resentment in southern Turkey towards Syrian refugees due to the ongoing civil conflict in Syria. The Turkish government and international aid organizations are struggling to manage the humanitarian crisis, with refugee camps along the border being overwhelmed by the influx of Syrians. The lack of capacity has forced many refugees to settle in nearby towns and cities, initially met with sympathy from the local population. However, as the refugee numbers have increased, so have the tensions, with rising accusations of criminal activities among the refugees. The situation has escalated to the point where local attitudes have significantly hardened, leading to a boiling point of tension in the region.