Turkey is facing significant political unrest following the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul’s mayor and a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on allegations of corruption and supporting terrorism. This has sparked the largest protests in over a decade, leading to his dismissal and imprisonment just before he was set to be the opposition’s candidate in the next presidential election. Imamoglu denies the charges, viewing them as politically driven, and calls have been made for his release by many who suspect the government is using legal means to neutralize a potential threat to Erdogan.
Ekrem Imamoglu, once a popular figure who defeated an Erdogan-backed candidate to become Istanbul’s mayor in 2019, has faced accusations of corruption and terrorism support, resulting in his arrest on March 19th and removal from office four days later. His political party, the Republican People’s Party, has selected him as their candidate for the next presidential election despite these actions, which could disqualify him due to legal issues and the annulment of his university diploma. The government denies any political motivation behind these actions, urging faith in the legal system and alleging Imamoglu’s involvement in criminal activities and support for terrorism. Protests have been met with force, resulting in numerous detentions and injuries.
The situation reflects a wider concern about Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian practices, consolidating power and influencing the media and judiciary during his tenure. Erdogan’s potential candidacy for another term in 2028 further complicates the political landscape. The arrest has caused fluctuation in Turkey’s stock market and currency value, though some leaders in Europe have criticized the action as anti-democratic, with limited commentary from senior American officials. Erdogan may be bolstered by current global dynamics, with concerns that the US might reduce support for Ukraine prompting European nations to strengthen ties with Turkey, despite the rule-of-law issues.
Safak Timur contributed to this report.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/world/europe/turkey-protests-istanbul-erdogan-imamoglu.html
