Analysis: A murky assassination that could radically alter Turkish politics

Source:Intelligence News Date:31Jan2023

ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2022, an assailant on a motorcycle opened fire on Sinan Ateş, the leader of Turkey’s most feared paramilitary force, known as the Grey Wolves. By that evening, the 38-year-old Ateş had expired in an Ankara hospital, prompting analysts to forewarn that Turkish politics had entered new and unchartered territory.

By 2020, however, there were rumors that Ateş was himself close to resigning from the MHP and joining the Good Party. Had that happened, it would have placed Devlet Bahçeli, the veteran chairman of the MHP, in a very difficult position, as it would most likely further-weaken his rule inside the MHP. The rumors that Ateş may soon leave the MHP intensified in April of 2020, when he announced his resignation from the post of chairman of the Grey Wolves. However, Ateş did not resign from the MHP, nor did he leave the Grey Wolves. In his resignation letter, he praised the militant organization and declared his allegiance to Bahçeli. Nevertheless, many believed that Ateş’ resignation from the Grey Wolves was the first step in his gradual distancing from the MHP, a process that would most likely conclude with him openly joining the Good Party.

Insightful analysis of the political murder that shook MHP to the ground