Istanbul University announced that it would revoke Imamoglu’s university diploma due to discrepancies. To be eligible to run for presidency, a candidate must hold a university degree.
The university further stated that the graduations and degrees of 28 individuals, including Imamoglu, would be declared null due to “obvious errors.”
Imamoglu’s potential presidential candidacy hampered
Imamoglu, a prominent opposition politician from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), was scheduled to be nominated as his party’s presidential candidate this weekend.
He has previously been elected as the mayor of Istanbul in both 2019 and 2023, defeating candidates from Erdogan’s ruling conservative Justice and Development (AKP) party.
The political significance of the mayoral race in Istanbul is particularly noteworthy, as Erdogan himself began his political career as the city’s mayor in the 1990s.
Erdogan has dominated Turkish politics since becoming prime minister in 2003 and must hold elections before the scheduled date in 2028 if he wishes to run again under the constitution.
Imamoglu vows to fight the arbitrary decision
Imamoglu stated that the cancellation of his university diploma is not a personal matter, but a matter concerning the entire nation. He indicated that they will take this decision to court and fight against it.
Although he expressed faith that the issue will be resolved, he also mentioned political pressure on the judiciary.
Critics argue that the Turkish courts are influenced by Erdogan, while the government maintains that the judiciary operates independently.
This decision further amplifies concerns about politically motivated arrests, detentions, and investigations targeting opposition politicians and mayors, which are widely seen as efforts to suppress dissent.
Opposition rallies behind Imamoglu
The CHP Chairman, Ozgur Ozel, labeled the decision as a “dark smear” and confirmed that his party will still nominate Imamoglu as its presidential candidate on March 23.
Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, another potential CHP presidential candidate, also supported Imamoglu and declared that his party would take legal action against the university decision.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery
