So much cosmetic work to make a good impression on heads of state and delegations from 32 countries, including US President Donald Trump, expected in the Turkish capital on Tuesday for a NATO summit denouncing the opposition and the population.
Due to security measures, several major roads will be closed during the two days of the summit, forcing residents and traders to restrict their movements and sometimes temporarily close their shops.
From June 28 until the end of the summit in Ankara, any meetings and demonstrations are also prohibited.
“Ankara has practically turned into an open-air prison. (…) The entire capital is paralyzed to facilitate the movement of several official processions,” countered Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chairman of the pro-Kurdish opposition party DEM.
A rumor about the closure of several parks in the capital, supposedly intended for French President Emmanuel Macron’s morning jogging, sparked demonstrations, although they have been denied. © Adem ALTAN / AFP
“There is even talk of closing parks so the president can run there! In their own city, residents are treated as undesirables,” he added, echoing rumors, although debunked, of the closure of several parks in the capital, supposedly reserved for French President Emmanuel Macron’s morning jogs.
-Hidden poor neighborhoods-
According to the Turkish press, all preparations, including the reconstruction of the military airport and the construction of new roads, cost more than 11 billion Turkish liras (more than 205 million euros).
The authorities are presenting this work as a long-term investment aimed at modernizing the capital’s infrastructure.
“We don’t spend this money on ourselves,” residents regret. © Adem ALTAN / AFP
“It is our money that is being wasted. We are not spending money for ourselves or the poor neighborhoods hidden behind these signs, but for the presidents of other countries,” protests Ümit Orkan, manager of a convenience store whose entrance is blocked by signs praising the summit and Ankara’s tourist attractions.
“We traders are in a very difficult situation. Customers can no longer come. We are forced to close for a week,” complains Mr. Orkan.
“I have seven employees, insurance, rent to pay. But there is no compensation for loss of income.”
“Our business relies on visibility. Customers stop when they see our plants. These signs have reduced our sales by 95%,” adds florist Kadir Kokus.
“We can’t do anything about it… We have to endure this for ten days,” he sighs, as installation of the giant panels began at the end of June.
-Turkish delight in a taxi-
The Turkish Taxi Federation, on the other hand, is taking advantage of this opportunity: it is forcing drivers to wear gray trousers and white shirts and plans to extend a courtesy to visitors.
Taxi drivers will offer water, Turkish delight and cologne “as a sign of Turkish hospitality.” © Adem ALTAN / AFP
“We will offer water, Turkish delight and cologne to our customers to demonstrate Turkish hospitality,” said Federation President Mehmet Yiginer.
Other new items: for the first time in the capital, mounted police will patrol, potholes on the roads have been filled, sidewalks have been repainted, and manhole covers have finally been leveled flush with the asphalt.
All these preparations are causing a lot of jokes on social networks: “From now on, if you do your best for your guests, they will tell you that you are welcoming NATO,” says one. Another suggests that beauty salons offer “NATO treatments” to their clients.
“All these efforts are good, but I wish they were aimed at us and not at NATO,” laments Cem Ozbek, manager of a pastry shop next to the avenue, which will be closed during the summit.
For the first time in the capital, patrols will be carried out by mounted police. © Adem ALTAN / AFP
“Prohibited routes are known in advance, but alternative routes are unclear. It will be difficult for our customers, our employees and suppliers to get here. Small businesses will suffer greatly,” he fears.
Many residents choose to flee the capital: trains and planes from Ankara are already full when they approach the top.
“I don’t plan to stay in the city. Many places will be closed and transport will be disrupted,” says Demir Balemir, a recent university graduate.
“All this makeup is not for us,” laments student Sima, who repeats a joke that has gone viral on social networks: “If Macron could use public transport, we might finally have air conditioning on our buses!”
© 2026 AFP