Istanbul’s embattled mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, has been officially nominated as the presidential candidate for the 2028 elections by the main opposition party, CHP, according to a party spokesperson. This nomination follows a period of intense political turmoil, marked by Imamoglu’s arrest, detention, and removal from his mayoral position, which the opposition has condemned as a politically motivated “coup.”
The CHP held a primary election where Imamoglu, a prominent political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was the sole candidate. This move underscores the opposition’s determination to challenge Erdogan’s long-standing political dominance.
Imamoglu’s detention occurred amidst graft and terror probes, which he has vehemently denied, labeling the accusations as “immoral and baseless.” His arrest, just days before his expected nomination, triggered widespread protests and clashes with riot police, marking some of Turkey’s most significant street unrest in over a decade.
Since Imamoglu’s arrest, Turkish police have detained over 1,100 individuals, including journalists, leading to international condemnation. The arrest has been seen as a direct attempt to undermine Imamoglu, who is perceived as the most formidable challenger to President Erdogan.
The primary election saw approximately 15 million people casting ballots, with a significant portion being solidarity votes from non-CHP members, demonstrating widespread support for Imamoglu.
The situation has drawn sharp criticism from international entities. Germany described Imamoglu’s jailing as “totally unacceptable,” while Greece condemned the undermining of civil liberties. The EU also called on Turkey to demonstrate a “clear commitment to democratic norms,” and France labeled the events a “serious attack on democracy.”
Amidst the unrest, students in Istanbul and Ankara called for university lecture boycotts, and protests continued across numerous Turkish provinces. Turkish authorities also attempted to suppress online discourse by shutting down hundreds of accounts on X (formerly Twitter).
Imamoglu, through his lawyers, has maintained a defiant stance, asserting his innocence and vowing to prevail against what he perceives as political persecution. His wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, has also spoken out against the detention of journalists covering the protests, emphasizing the importance of press freedom.
The CHP’s decision to nominate Imamoglu as their presidential candidate highlights the deepening political divide in Turkey and sets the stage for a potentially contentious 2028 election
