Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu sends a desperate cry from his prison cell, warning the international community about the dangerous trajectory of Turkish democracy. Through an article in the British newspaper The Guardian, the opposition leader denounces the systematic repression exercised by Erdoğan against democratic institutions.
“Systematic opposition crackdown” warns Erdoğan
Ekrem İmamoğlu, a member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has been behind bars for six months on corruption charges he characterizes as politically motivated. His arrest followed the revocation of his university degree, a move that prevented him from running for the country’s presidency. İmamoğlu’s case is not an isolated incident. More than twelve opposition mayors have been imprisoned, while in 25% of Istanbul’s districts, elected officials have been arrested. From Adana and Antalya to Istanbul, the crackdown extends to all levels of local government.
Erdoğan weaponizes the courts
According to Ekrem İmamoğlu, President Erdoğan exploits his unchecked power to use the judicial system as a tool of political repression. Opponents are not simply imprisoned but replaced by regime loyalists. A characteristic example is the cancellation of the CHP’s local congress in Istanbul, the removal of its president, and the appointment of a regime commissioner. These actions aim to destabilize the main opposition and remove its legitimate leadership.
The Istanbul mayor attributes to Erdoğan a desperate attempt to maintain power through the revision of democratic rules. To avoid another electoral defeat, the Turkish president relies on:
- Smear campaigns and corruption charges
- Attempts to divide the opposition
- Systematic use of the “terrorism” label
- Judicial interference in electoral mechanisms
Despite the repression, Ekrem İmamoğlu expresses optimism about the Turkish people’s reaction. Polls consistently rank the CHP as the country’s leading party, while millions of citizens participate in peaceful protests even in Erdoğan’s supposed strongholds. Since his arrest on March 19, demonstrations have filled the streets despite the risk of arrest and police violence. This popular resistance proves that the Turkish people are no longer deceived by the regime’s methods.
The roadmap for democratic transition
Recognizing that resistance alone is insufficient, Ekrem İmamoğlu and the CHP are preparing a comprehensive democratic transition plan. Key objectives include winning elections, stabilizing the economy, restoring judicial independence, and combating corruption. Additionally, the plan envisions expanding social rights, restoring trust in institutions, and redefining Turkey’s role in the changing geopolitical landscape.
Ekrem İmamoğlu emphasizes that Turkey’s struggle for democracy concerns not only the country itself. If a nation with such rich democratic experience sinks deeper into authoritarianism, the consequences will affect the entire international community. The strategy proposed by Istanbul’s mayor includes transforming indignation into organized action and building a new political culture that honors Turkey’s democratic heritage. Only thus can the country reclaim its democracy and contribute to global democratic renewal.
