Turkish opposition politician Ekrem İmamoğlu — the Mayor of Istanbul and one of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s most prominent rivals — was unexpectedly arrested and removed from office. The move has sparked a wave of nationwide protests that, according to observers, could evolve into one of the most serious challenges to Erdoğan’s power in recent years.
İmamoğlu’s Arrest: A Politically Motivated Move?
As reported by Der Spiegel, İmamoğlu was detained last Wednesday on charges of corruption and alleged links to terrorism — accusations his supporters see as blatantly political. Early Sunday morning, a court ordered him into pre-trial detention, and shortly after, he was officially dismissed as mayor.
Many believe this is part of Erdoğan’s strategy to eliminate a strong competitor ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. İmamoğlu was set to be formally nominated by the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) as their presidential candidate — a decision scheduled weeks in advance.
Voting as a Form of Protest
Despite the arrest, the CHP proceeded with the internal party vote. In addition to official ballots for members, they set up “solidarity boxes” across Turkey, inviting the general public to symbolically vote for İmamoğlu as a presidential candidate. According to the CHP, approximately 13 million people took part — far exceeding the party’s official membership.
“I came here for my children, for their future,” said 48-year-old pensioner Oykum Kayhan in an interview with Der Spiegel. “My 17-year-old daughter wants to leave Turkey, but as a mother, I want her to stay. There is no law, no justice anymore.”
A New Wave of Protests?
The first major protests erupted on the day of İmamoğlu’s arrest. Initially, a few thousand people took to the streets, but by the weekend, demonstrations had spread to dozens of cities, including Istanbul. The opposition claims that hundreds of thousands are now participating.
Students have played a particularly active role. A group from Istanbul University broke through police barricades, and footage of the act quickly went viral on social media. Experts believe this helped fuel the broader protest movement.
“We are out here to urge the government to reconsider its decisions, to reverse injustices, and to show that we, the students, are not afraid,” said 25-year-old student Sultan Tarladelen. “Being together gives us strength, because crowds cannot be intimidated.” She added that their first action had an immediate impact: “Cars were honking, some people rolled down their windows just to say how proud they were to see us out here.”
Government Cracks Down
The authorities responded swiftly. Demonstrations have been banned in several major cities, including Istanbul, until at least Wednesday. Nevertheless, protests continue. Some analysts suggest Erdoğan may not only be aiming to hold onto power but also to pave the way for a dynastic succession — possibly naming his son Bilal as a successor.
Mustafa Yeneroğlu, a former Erdoğan ally and ex-member of the ruling AKP party, told Der Spiegel: “The case against İmamoğlu marks a new low. Even by the already weak standards of Turkish justice, the accusations are absurd.” He believes Erdoğan fears losing power: “İmamoğlu was too popular — he had to disappear.”
Against the backdrop of political turmoil, the Turkish lira has plunged to a record low. According to media reports, the Central Bank spent $12 billion last week in an attempt to stabilize the currency. Meanwhile, the opposition is calling for a boycott of pro-government companies.
Don’t Let the Attention Fade
Journalist Ahmet Hakan, editor-in-chief of the pro-government newspaper Hürriyet, commented in his column: “We live in a country where even the hottest topics are forgotten within three days. The outrage over İmamoğlu’s arrest may last a week, maybe a month or a year. Then, slowly, things quiet down. People get bored.”
But the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators currently marching through Turkey seem determined to prove him wrong. Their goal is to ensure that this issue is not forgotten — to turn the arrest of one man into a symbol of a larger struggle for democracy, justice, and the country’s political future.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Der Spiegel. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
The original article can be found at the following link: Der Spiegel.
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