Türkiye’s INTERPOL Presidency Bid: Powers, Process, and Questions on Political Use
Türkiye has put forward Mustafa Serkan Sabanca as its candidate for the presidency of INTERPOL in the organization's upcoming General Assembly. This move highlights Ankara’s ambition to play a central role in steering global police cooperation. But what exactly does the INTERPOL presidency entail, how is it decided, and what would it mean for Türkiye and the organization?
Role and Powers of the INTERPOL President
The President of INTERPOL is elected by the General Assembly for a four-year term. Unlike the Secretary-General who manages day-to-day operations, the President’s role is primarily supervisory and representative but influential. The President chairs meetings of the General Assembly—the supreme governing body where all member countries have a vote—and the Executive Committee, which guides INTERPOL between assemblies. The President directs discussions, ensures organizational activities align with member countries’ decisions, and maintains close contact with the Secretary-General and the General Secretariat in Lyon, France.
Though the position is part-time and unpaid, the President’s leadership shapes major policy directions and strategic priorities. Alongside the Executive Committee, the President influences INTERPOL's governance, agenda-setting, and oversight of implementation of decisions. This means the President represents the global police community on an international stage and can advocate for cooperation priorities and reforms.
Election Process and Türkiye’s History
Elected by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly, candidates for the presidency are typically high-ranking police officials or security leaders from INTERPOL's 195 member countries. The General Assembly convenes annually, making final decisions on policy, budgets, and leadership appointments. The current President is Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi from the United Arab Emirates, serving until 2025, when the new election will take place.
Türkiye has never held the presidency of INTERPOL before. By nominating Mustafa Serkan Sabanca, who currently leads Türkiye’s National Central Bureau at INTERPOL–Europol, Ankara signals its readiness to take a greater role in international policing affairs. A successful presidency would mark Türkiye's influence on setting agendas related to global crime-fighting collaboration, data sharing, and policy coordination across diverse security challenges.
Türkiye as the Top Issuer of INTERPOL Red Notices
According to the latest official INTERPOL data for 2024, Türkiye is the leading country issuing the most Red Notices worldwide. These notices are powerful law enforcement tools that request the provisional arrest of individuals pending extradition or similar legal processes. The year 2024 saw a record 15,548 Red Notices issued globally, with Türkiye standing out for its active use of this mechanism. This demonstrates Türkiye's significant operational engagement in international policing cooperation.
Significance and Considerations
Holding INTERPOL’s presidency would enhance Türkiye’s visibility and strategic leadership in a key international law enforcement platform. With rising transnational challenges including cybercrime, terrorism, and organized crime, a strong voice at INTERPOL can help Türkiye amplify cooperation with other nations.
However, the role demands impartiality and strict adherence to INTERPOL’s constitution, which prohibits political interference. The President must balance national interests with the organization’s mandate to facilitate lawful and apolitical police cooperation. As the global community evaluates Türkiye’s candidacy, maintaining this balance is essential to preserving INTERPOL’s integrity.
Questions Around Türkiye’s Leadership
Türkiye's ambition to lead INTERPOL has attracted attention not only for its goals but also for questions surrounding its past use of INTERPOL's tools. According to a Newsweek report, international observers and human rights organizations have raised concerns about political misuse of the Red Notice system to target dissidents and critics abroad. As Türkiye pursues the presidency, these concerns make transparency and commitment to INTERPOL’s principles critical for member confidence and the institution’s neutrality.
Türkiye’s bid for the INTERPOL presidency through Mustafa Serkan Sabanca presents a notable opportunity for the country to shape global policing efforts. Understanding the presidential powers, election process, and the broader context — including questions related to political use — clarifies the significance of this leadership role both for Türkiye and the wider international law enforcement community.
This presidency is not only a matter of prestige but a platform to influence collaborative security strategies worldwide while upholding INTERPOL’s fundamental values of neutrality and justice.