The mayor of Istanbul is the main opponent of the Turkish president. Now Ekrem Imamoglu is in the attractions of the judiciary, critics accuse political motivation. Its detention generated the largest protests in the country in more than ten years. One of its objectives is to include everyone, without discriminating or offending, which can also be seen as a reaction to the style of the current government. In Turkish politics, it is quite common to create a paternalistic and offensive speech of the “knots against them” against political opponents. Imamoglu’s different attitude has contributed to his popularity in increasingly polarized society in recent years.
The mayor of Istanbul, the largest Turkish metropolis, was arrested on March 19 on charges of corruption and suspect terrorism, and Sunday (23/03) legally ratified his pre -material detention. On the same day, the presidency for his party was elected, the party of the Social Democratic Party of the people (CHP), with about 15 million votes.
Imamoglu’s arrest has caused the greatest manifestations of the opposition to Turkey since the so -called Gezi Park protests in 2013. Despite the massive presence of the police, thousands took to the street all over the country since Wednesday.
Three wins
The vast majority of the Turks had never heard of Imamoglu until 2019. It was a sub -Mayor of the Istanbul Beylikdüzü district, when the CHP surprisingly announced that it was presenting it as a candidate for the competition for the Metropolis City Hall. Initially there were hard criticism, as opposition supporters thought they would not have had any possibility against the president of President Recep Erdogan, the candidate Tayyip Erdogan.
But Imamoglu was victorious from the elections of March 31, 2019, with a difference of 13,000 votes in Akp. And so the Social Democrats took control of the metropolis 25 years ago governed by conservative Islamists. However, after an AKP appeal, the upper electoral commission canceled the result of the elections. Three months later, Imamoglu has won again, now with a significantly larger margin of over 800,000 votes.
In 2024, it was re -elected. President Erdogan and Akp had established as its objective to resume Istanbul, in what they described as “the beginning of a new era”. However, Imamoglu won with almost ten percentage points compared to the opponent Murat Kurum.
The man who does not give up
Ekrem Imamoglu’s victory is still seen as proof that Turkish democracy is working and that it is possible to overcome the AKP government during the polls. The accusations of fraud, falsification or political influence repeatedly follow the Türkiye elections.
But Imamoglu did not give up. Now he wants to compete against Erdogan in the presidential elections of 2028.
The way it communicates is considered an important feature of its policy. While fighting to be recognized for his electoral victory, a young man shouted him: “Everything will be very nice!” A phrase full of hope that has made its slogan, adopted by all the opposition. When he got on stage to make a speech after the canceled elections, he said: “We have our youth!”, Which has excited and continues to energize them to date.
But there have also been criticism of Imamoglu. When parts of Istanbul were hit by a flood in 2019, he was on summer vacation and remained there. When an earthquake hit Elazig in Eastern Türkiye in 2020, he visited the city for the first time like many other politicians, but then traveled to Palandöken, to ski. “It is normal for a father to spend two days of vacation with his children,” he defended himself.
On paper, it represents only Istanbul, but the photos in which it is seen with the Turkish flag automatically give the impression that the whole country represents. For many Turks, these photos give hope: one day Imamoglu can truly reach the presidency.
Company of buildings, football clubs
Born in 1970, Ekrem Imamoglu studied in Cyprus and Istanbul, where he graduated in business economics. Before entering politics, he directed a restaurant specialized in Turkish meatballs to Istanbul. The construction company of his family, IMAMOGLU ISAT, also guides. From 2002 to 2003, he was a member of the Board of Directors of one of the largest Turkish football teams, Trabzonspor, of his hometown.
There are some points in common in the past of Erdogan and Imamoglu: both have successfully played football in the youth. Both come from the Region of the Black Sea. In the traditionally conservative Trabzon, where Imamoglu grew up, he also attended the course of the Koran so called, which provided him with religious education. Erdogan has been mayor of Istanbul since 1994 and 1998, as his main opponent since 2019.
After the canceled elections, Ekrem Imamoglu said in a speech: “Our way is long”. Regardless of the result of the process, an influential politician will remain. Maybe “Everything is fine.” But the path still seems long and difficult.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
