Mert Kartal
@mertkartal.bsky.social
* Associate Prof. of Political Science, St. Lawrence University
* Good Authority Fellow
* Transparency International Consultant
* International organization; the EU; good governance, corruption, populism in Europe, and a bit of Turkey
* 💛💙Fenerbahçe💛💙
* Good Authority Fellow
* Transparency International Consultant
* International organization; the EU; good governance, corruption, populism in Europe, and a bit of Turkey
* 💛💙Fenerbahçe💛💙
Pinned
Mert Kartal
@mertkartal.bsky.social
· Nov 26
I do believe activism is key to progress. But so is scientific research. Pressuring researchers to adopt activist stances risks their work being dismissed as biased, ultimately hurting activists' cause. Let researchers produce objective policy advice and help activists make the world a better place.
Reposted by Mert Kartal
🇵🇹 PORTUGAL | Elecciones presidenciales - 2ª vuelta (81,4 % de freguesías escrutadas)
🟥 Seguro (PS) 64,3 %
⬛️ Ventura (Chega) 35,7 %
El socialista António José Seguro será el próximo presidente de la República de Portugal.
🟥 Seguro (PS) 64,3 %
⬛️ Ventura (Chega) 35,7 %
El socialista António José Seguro será el próximo presidente de la República de Portugal.
February 8, 2026 at 8:22 PM
🇵🇹 PORTUGAL | Elecciones presidenciales - 2ª vuelta (81,4 % de freguesías escrutadas)
🟥 Seguro (PS) 64,3 %
⬛️ Ventura (Chega) 35,7 %
El socialista António José Seguro será el próximo presidente de la República de Portugal.
🟥 Seguro (PS) 64,3 %
⬛️ Ventura (Chega) 35,7 %
El socialista António José Seguro será el próximo presidente de la República de Portugal.
When center-right chases far-right, it backfires. When voters choose between far-right and a copy, they pick the original. Imitating far-right only makes it stronger.
Portugal shows how mainstream parties can defend democracy: The center-right backs the center-left instead of drifting further right.
Portugal shows how mainstream parties can defend democracy: The center-right backs the center-left instead of drifting further right.
Portugal: Socialist tipped for presidential election win
Portugal: Socialist tipped for presidential election win
Though the far right reached the second round for the first time, veteran politician Antonio Jose Seguro is expected to win up to two-thirds of the vote.
www.dw.com
February 8, 2026 at 7:57 PM
When center-right chases far-right, it backfires. When voters choose between far-right and a copy, they pick the original. Imitating far-right only makes it stronger.
Portugal shows how mainstream parties can defend democracy: The center-right backs the center-left instead of drifting further right.
Portugal shows how mainstream parties can defend democracy: The center-right backs the center-left instead of drifting further right.
Istanbul, ouch!
Calling this “affordable rent” requires a very generous definition of affordability.
Source: www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
Calling this “affordable rent” requires a very generous definition of affordability.
Source: www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
February 3, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Istanbul, ouch!
Calling this “affordable rent” requires a very generous definition of affordability.
Source: www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
Calling this “affordable rent” requires a very generous definition of affordability.
Source: www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
Reposted by Mert Kartal
Ill write a longer post on this later, but I largely agree. I teach at a small liberal arts college and I very much would like to see my daughter go to one if she can.
I love liberal arts colleges - taught at one for a decade and sent two kids to others. Great places for students and for faculty. I don’t think they will be spared the higher ed apocalypse though .. and they struggle with finances despite being very expensive.
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
The Accidental Winners of the War on Higher Ed
Go to a small liberal-arts college if you can.
www.theatlantic.com
January 31, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Ill write a longer post on this later, but I largely agree. I teach at a small liberal arts college and I very much would like to see my daughter go to one if she can.
Reposted by Mert Kartal
It's finally happening.
The Swedish prime minister just announced that a pan-European force is arriving in #Greenland as we speak.
No word yet on whether UK forces are among them.
The Swedish prime minister just announced that a pan-European force is arriving in #Greenland as we speak.
No word yet on whether UK forces are among them.
January 14, 2026 at 4:19 PM
It's finally happening.
The Swedish prime minister just announced that a pan-European force is arriving in #Greenland as we speak.
No word yet on whether UK forces are among them.
The Swedish prime minister just announced that a pan-European force is arriving in #Greenland as we speak.
No word yet on whether UK forces are among them.
Rutte is the Secretary General of NATO, not the PM of the Netherlands. Expecting him (or NATO under him) to publicly challenge the United States in that role is unrealistic (unless he has already decided to step down).
The military alliance is yet to issue a public statement asserting the territorial integrity of the Arctic island and kingdom of Denmark ft.trib.al/Ku974sr
January 12, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Rutte is the Secretary General of NATO, not the PM of the Netherlands. Expecting him (or NATO under him) to publicly challenge the United States in that role is unrealistic (unless he has already decided to step down).
Reposted by Mert Kartal
I had some interviews and meetings today with people that I very much don't agree with politically and one of my big take-aways is that nothing in the news cycle moves most people off their priors.
January 12, 2026 at 6:26 PM
I had some interviews and meetings today with people that I very much don't agree with politically and one of my big take-aways is that nothing in the news cycle moves most people off their priors.
2025 exposed the EU’s ongoing struggle to control corruption. Weak enforcement and internal scandals have continued to undermine its credibility. Here's my latest for Good Authority⬇️
Also, below is a table highlighting key developments in 2025 and the EU’s difficulty enforcing its own standards.
Also, below is a table highlighting key developments in 2025 and the EU’s difficulty enforcing its own standards.
December 23, 2025 at 8:31 PM
2025 exposed the EU’s ongoing struggle to control corruption. Weak enforcement and internal scandals have continued to undermine its credibility. Here's my latest for Good Authority⬇️
Also, below is a table highlighting key developments in 2025 and the EU’s difficulty enforcing its own standards.
Also, below is a table highlighting key developments in 2025 and the EU’s difficulty enforcing its own standards.
Reposted by Mert Kartal
For the past twenty years, each successive generation of students in my classroom has arrived less knowledgeable about the world, less able to think through complex ideas, and less willing to engage seriously with views that challenge their assumptions.
December 21, 2025 at 2:46 PM
For the past twenty years, each successive generation of students in my classroom has arrived less knowledgeable about the world, less able to think through complex ideas, and less willing to engage seriously with views that challenge their assumptions.
The “enhanced cooperation” clause allows at least 9 🇪🇺 members to move forward when unanimity is blocked. It’s a last resort and used rarely.
This is the first time it’s being used to enable EU budget-backed borrowing.
This use applies only to this specific case. It doesn’t change EU budget rules.
This is the first time it’s being used to enable EU budget-backed borrowing.
This use applies only to this specific case. It doesn’t change EU budget rules.
EU approved €90 billion joint borrowing package for Ukraine covering 2026-27 military and budget needs, European Council President Costa announced, after abandoning reparations loan plan.
December 19, 2025 at 6:12 PM
The “enhanced cooperation” clause allows at least 9 🇪🇺 members to move forward when unanimity is blocked. It’s a last resort and used rarely.
This is the first time it’s being used to enable EU budget-backed borrowing.
This use applies only to this specific case. It doesn’t change EU budget rules.
This is the first time it’s being used to enable EU budget-backed borrowing.
This use applies only to this specific case. It doesn’t change EU budget rules.
Reposted by Mert Kartal
Reporting that Erdogan wants Putin to take back S-400s.
And my question is why would Putin agree to that? The benefits of keeping Turkey and the US at odds is, intrinsically, a win. And was from the moment that Erdogan agreed to purchase them.
And my question is why would Putin agree to that? The benefits of keeping Turkey and the US at odds is, intrinsically, a win. And was from the moment that Erdogan agreed to purchase them.
S-400 füze savunma sistemi, Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ile Rusya Devlet Başkanı Vladimir Putin arasındaki görüşmede gündeme geldi. Bloomberg'in iddiasına göre Erdoğan Putin'den S-400'leri geri almasını istedi.
Bloomberg: Erdoğan Putin’den S-400’leri geri almasını istedi
Türkiye-Amerika Birleşik Devletleri (ABD) ilişkilerinde ciddi bir sorun olan Rusya yapımı S-400 füze savunma sistemi, Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ile Rusya Devlet Başkanı Vladimir Putin arasındaki görüşmede gündeme geldi. Bloomberg'in iddiasına göre Erdoğan Putin'den S-400'leri geri almasını istedi.
medyascope.tv
December 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Reporting that Erdogan wants Putin to take back S-400s.
And my question is why would Putin agree to that? The benefits of keeping Turkey and the US at odds is, intrinsically, a win. And was from the moment that Erdogan agreed to purchase them.
And my question is why would Putin agree to that? The benefits of keeping Turkey and the US at odds is, intrinsically, a win. And was from the moment that Erdogan agreed to purchase them.
The European Parliament just voted to phase out Russian gas: 500 in favor, 120 against, 32 abstentions.
The EU will end all pipeline gas and LNG imports from #Russia by Sep 30, 2027.
#Hungary and #Slovakia will likely challenge the decision in court (but their attempts will likely fail).
The EU will end all pipeline gas and LNG imports from #Russia by Sep 30, 2027.
#Hungary and #Slovakia will likely challenge the decision in court (but their attempts will likely fail).
💥Big news💥The EU will end imports of Russian LNG by Dec'26 & pipeline gas by Sep'27. The deal still needs 🇪🇺Parliament & Council approval. But it'll be majority voting: Hungary/Slovakia can't block it.
🇪🇺 also plans to phase out Russian oil. A proposal is expected in early 2026. tinyurl.com/2fs76h2k
🇪🇺 also plans to phase out Russian oil. A proposal is expected in early 2026. tinyurl.com/2fs76h2k
EU agrees to permanently stop Russian gas imports and phase out Russian oil
The European Union will effectively and permanently stop the import of Russian gas and move towards the phaseout of Russian oil under the provisional political agreement reached by the European Parlia...
tinyurl.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The upcoming election period will be as difficult as it ever was for PM Viktor Orban.
💥🪧Huge protest tomorrow outside Viktor Orbán’s office after another week of damning evidence of sexual and physical abuse in child care and youth detention centers. It's Hungary’s own Epstein-style scandal, fueled by wild rumors.
This new related video has already been seen by millions.
This new related video has already been seen by millions.
December 13, 2025 at 5:51 PM
The upcoming election period will be as difficult as it ever was for PM Viktor Orban.
Earlier this week, #Hungary passed a bill reinforcing the president’s role. Two possible implications: 1. PM Orban is genuinely concerned about the 2026 elections. 2. We are one step closer to seeing Orban transition into the presidency.
amp.dw.com/en/hungary-p...
amp.dw.com/en/hungary-p...
Hungary passes bill reinforcing president's post – DW – 12/10/2025
Hungary's parliament, dominated by the ruling Fidesz party, approved a bill making it harder to unseat the head of state. The change comes ahead of elections, with Fidesz and Prime Minister Orban's po...
amp.dw.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Earlier this week, #Hungary passed a bill reinforcing the president’s role. Two possible implications: 1. PM Orban is genuinely concerned about the 2026 elections. 2. We are one step closer to seeing Orban transition into the presidency.
amp.dw.com/en/hungary-p...
amp.dw.com/en/hungary-p...
EU membership requires negotiating 35 chapters (100K+ pages of legal text). Ukraine has yet to open any chapter. It also requires unanimous member state approval, sometimes via referendums.
How prepared 🇺🇦 is for membership & how willing members are to accept 🇺🇦 are equally important questions.
How prepared 🇺🇦 is for membership & how willing members are to accept 🇺🇦 are equally important questions.
Ukraine would join EU by 2027 under draft peace plan on.ft.com/4adz7U3
Ukraine would join EU by 2027 under draft peace plan
Fast-track entry to bloc being discussed by US and Ukrainian officials backed by Brussels in drive to end Russia’s war
on.ft.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:46 PM
EU membership requires negotiating 35 chapters (100K+ pages of legal text). Ukraine has yet to open any chapter. It also requires unanimous member state approval, sometimes via referendums.
How prepared 🇺🇦 is for membership & how willing members are to accept 🇺🇦 are equally important questions.
How prepared 🇺🇦 is for membership & how willing members are to accept 🇺🇦 are equally important questions.
As expected, Russia has quickly moved to exploit differences in preferences among EU member states. It is now the EU’s turn to respond.
December 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
As expected, Russia has quickly moved to exploit differences in preferences among EU member states. It is now the EU’s turn to respond.
#Belgium will back #EU's reparations loan for #Ukraine if 3 conditions are met: 1.risk-sharing by all members; 2.safeguards for Euroclear if 🇷🇺 assets are released too early; 3.equal burden-sharing by pooling all €210B in frozen assets.
Today, 🇪🇺 moved to indefinitely freeze 🇷🇺 assets. It solves #2.
Today, 🇪🇺 moved to indefinitely freeze 🇷🇺 assets. It solves #2.
Russian state assets in Europe could remain permanently frozen under a legal mechanism approved by EU capitals today.
EU approves legal workaround to sideline Orbán, keep Russian assets frozen forever
The EU’s decision undermines the Kremlin’s hopes of unfreezing the money under a post-war peace settlement.
www.politico.eu
December 12, 2025 at 3:03 AM
The Commission’s “Plan A” could still help #Ukraine but there is a major risk: #EU sanctions on #Russia must be renewed unanimously every six months. That means a single state (say #Hungary) could block renewal and lift sanctions as early as February 1, 2026.
Hungary formally ruled out issuing eurobonds to support Ukraine on Friday, a move that robs the EU of a potential Plan B should it fail to find a way to use frozen Russian state assets to finance a €165 billion loan to Kyiv.
Hungary shoots down eurobonds as alternative to EU’s Russian asset plan
Friday’s veto of a joint debt issue raises the stakes for efforts to convince Belgium to release frozen assets.
www.politico.eu
December 7, 2025 at 3:39 AM
How about we call the sport people actually play with their feet “football” and use “American football” for the one in the US (where the Packers are, and will always be, the best)?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Is it ‘soccer’ or ‘football?’ President Trump wants to rename the NFL
The President said "it really doesn't make sense" to call American football by that name.
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
How about we call the sport people actually play with their feet “football” and use “American football” for the one in the US (where the Packers are, and will always be, the best)?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
The EU's proposal was not good enough to ease Belgium's concerns about the potential unintended consequences of using Russia's frozen assests to help Ukraine: www.npr.org/2025/12/03/g...
December 4, 2025 at 10:07 PM
The EU's proposal was not good enough to ease Belgium's concerns about the potential unintended consequences of using Russia's frozen assests to help Ukraine: www.npr.org/2025/12/03/g...
💥Big news💥The EU will end imports of Russian LNG by Dec'26 & pipeline gas by Sep'27. The deal still needs 🇪🇺Parliament & Council approval. But it'll be majority voting: Hungary/Slovakia can't block it.
🇪🇺 also plans to phase out Russian oil. A proposal is expected in early 2026. tinyurl.com/2fs76h2k
🇪🇺 also plans to phase out Russian oil. A proposal is expected in early 2026. tinyurl.com/2fs76h2k
EU agrees to permanently stop Russian gas imports and phase out Russian oil
The European Union will effectively and permanently stop the import of Russian gas and move towards the phaseout of Russian oil under the provisional political agreement reached by the European Parlia...
tinyurl.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:03 PM
💥Big news💥The EU will end imports of Russian LNG by Dec'26 & pipeline gas by Sep'27. The deal still needs 🇪🇺Parliament & Council approval. But it'll be majority voting: Hungary/Slovakia can't block it.
🇪🇺 also plans to phase out Russian oil. A proposal is expected in early 2026. tinyurl.com/2fs76h2k
🇪🇺 also plans to phase out Russian oil. A proposal is expected in early 2026. tinyurl.com/2fs76h2k
In news that will shock precisely zero people:
CHP’s proposal to add a bill to the parliamentary agenda obliging Turkey’s public broadcaster to air live the trials of elected politicians was voted down by AKP and MHP.
p.dw.com/p/54eSi
CHP’s proposal to add a bill to the parliamentary agenda obliging Turkey’s public broadcaster to air live the trials of elected politicians was voted down by AKP and MHP.
p.dw.com/p/54eSi
İBB davası: Canlı yayın teklifine AKP ve MHP'den ret – DW – 02.12.2025
İmamoğlu dahil seçilmiş siyasilerin duruşmalarının canlı yayınlanması için CHP'nin hazırladığı kanun teklifinin Genel Kurul gündemine alınması AKP ve MHP oylarıyla reddedildi. MHP lideri Bahçeli "yayı...
p.dw.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:33 PM
In news that will shock precisely zero people:
CHP’s proposal to add a bill to the parliamentary agenda obliging Turkey’s public broadcaster to air live the trials of elected politicians was voted down by AKP and MHP.
p.dw.com/p/54eSi
CHP’s proposal to add a bill to the parliamentary agenda obliging Turkey’s public broadcaster to air live the trials of elected politicians was voted down by AKP and MHP.
p.dw.com/p/54eSi
#Belgium fears lending €140b to #Ukraine could backfire if, say, Hungary vetoes renewing sanctions on Russia, which would force Belgium to repay Russia.
The Commission proposes to use Article 122 to bypass Hungary's veto. But I'm not sure if the proposal is good enough to ease Belgium’s concerns.
The Commission proposes to use Article 122 to bypass Hungary's veto. But I'm not sure if the proposal is good enough to ease Belgium’s concerns.
The European Commission is offering a legal fix to allay one of Belgium’s deepest fears of a nightmare scenario that could unfold if €140 billion of Russian assets frozen in Brussels are used as a loan to Ukraine.
European Commission makes 11th-hour offer to win Belgian backing for Russian asset loan
The EU executive suggests legal workaround to nullify Hungary’s veto threat.
www.politico.eu
December 2, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Today, the EU’s former foreign policy chief and a Commission director general were detained in a fraud probe.
This shows a core flaw in the EU’s approach to pubic integrity: 🇪🇺 institutions (#OLAF & #EPPO) can investigate corruption (to some extent), but enforcement depends on national authorities.
This shows a core flaw in the EU’s approach to pubic integrity: 🇪🇺 institutions (#OLAF & #EPPO) can investigate corruption (to some extent), but enforcement depends on national authorities.
Belgian police raided the EU’s foreign service and the College of Europe today in a bombshell corruption probe — and detained two of the EU’s most powerful officials.
Who are Mogherini and Sannino, the EU heavyweights questioned in fraud probe?
Two powerful figures who worked in the European Union’s foreign policy arm are linked to a corruption investigation.
www.politico.eu
December 2, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Today, the EU’s former foreign policy chief and a Commission director general were detained in a fraud probe.
This shows a core flaw in the EU’s approach to pubic integrity: 🇪🇺 institutions (#OLAF & #EPPO) can investigate corruption (to some extent), but enforcement depends on national authorities.
This shows a core flaw in the EU’s approach to pubic integrity: 🇪🇺 institutions (#OLAF & #EPPO) can investigate corruption (to some extent), but enforcement depends on national authorities.
As I explain for @goodauth.bsky.social (tinyurl.com/yknp5uja), Commission’s plan to fund #Ukraine exposes major divisions among #EU members. #Germany backs it; #Belgium opposes.
Classic public-goods problem: All benefit; only a few pay. Without fairer burden-sharing, the plan is likely to fail.
Classic public-goods problem: All benefit; only a few pay. Without fairer burden-sharing, the plan is likely to fail.
November 28, 2025 at 3:07 AM
As I explain for @goodauth.bsky.social (tinyurl.com/yknp5uja), Commission’s plan to fund #Ukraine exposes major divisions among #EU members. #Germany backs it; #Belgium opposes.
Classic public-goods problem: All benefit; only a few pay. Without fairer burden-sharing, the plan is likely to fail.
Classic public-goods problem: All benefit; only a few pay. Without fairer burden-sharing, the plan is likely to fail.