Turkey’s prominent political figure, Ekrem Imamoglu, presents a demeanor that is calm, eloquent, and modern. Known for his ability to connect with different social groups, he advocates for inclusive politics that eschew discriminatory and offending tactics.

This approach also serves as a response to Turkey’s current governing style, which frequently employs a patronizing and derogatory “us versus them” rhetoric towards political adversaries.

Becoming the mayor of Istanbul in 2019, the 54-year-old Imamoglu is seen as a significant contender to current Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and is backed by the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), who intended to present him as their candidate in upcoming presidential elections.

Despite his amicable nature, on March 19, Imamoglu was detained on corruption charges and suspicions of terrorism. Although the terrorism charges were dropped, he remains in pre-trial detention as ruled by the court.

This led to the largest opposition protests in Turkey since the Gezi protests in 2013, with thousands marching to protest what they perceive as a strategic maneuver to halt Imamoglu’s presidential ambitions.

Before his political career, Imamoglu owned a restaurant and managed the family construction business, as well as sat on the board of Trabzonspor, a prominent Turkish soccer club.

Imamoglu’s unexpected candidacy for Istanbul’s mayor in the 2019 elections against Erdogan’s party’s candidate was victorious, garnering a lead of over 800,000 votes and marking the end of 25 years of conservative Islamic rule.

However, his tenure has not been without controversy. Accusations of electoral fraud and coercion have challenged elections in Turkey. Critics also point to his personal choices, such as his response to natural disasters and a vacation after an earthquake.

Imamoglu defended these choices, asserting it was customary for a family man to spend time with his children.

The article, first published in German on January 19, 2023, has been updated on March 23, 2025.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-who-is-erdogan-s-popular-rival-ekrem-imamoglu/a-72010940?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf