Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s strongest competitor has been arrested by Turkish police, suspected of corruption.
Or is it really the president himself who lifted the opponent Ekrem i̇mamoğlu?
It was remarkable weeks when re -election in the Mayor’s election in Istanbul 2019. At that time, Ekrem İmamoğlu from the party CHP shockingly won the Mayor’s election in front of President Erdogan and his party AKP’s candidate Binali Yildirim. Shortly thereafter, the choice was annulled and had to be redone. Suddenly it was no longer a choice about mayor but rather a vote for or against Erdogan who himself was out and about. When Ekrem İmamoğlu won again, the humiliation was total for the country’s president.
Was banned to participate in the presidential election
After that, oak strap bubbled ̇mamoğlu in the reed as a possible opponent in upcoming presidential elections. But one year before the presidential election in 2023, he was accused and convicted of insulting people loyal to Erdogan. The following legal process forbade him to participate in the election. Instead, the party has chosen the faithful Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, party leader for many years. It was close that the silent technocrat took it home, but in the second round it was Erdogan who remained in the presidential chair.
For the next election, which is currently exposed to 2028, Erdogan cannot really run for the constitution. But with the right support, the constitution can be rewritten and many believe that it is the main reason why the Turkish government wants to negotiate peace with terroristed PKK and get the Kurds on their political side. It will require a lot of buttering from Erdogan because his legal apparatus not only chased PKK but also Kurdish politicians for several years. Many barely react when it happens.
The arrest is powerful – and will have effects
But that CHP’s strongest candidate for upcoming presidential elections is now being arrested is shocking many. Certainly, some politicians from the country father Ataturk’s party CHP have been under judicial review before, as mentioned above even İmamoğlu himself. But grappling him just days before CHP will publish his candidate for the presidential election is strong. In addition, another hundreds must have been arrested on suspicion of a mixture of bribes, terrorism, money laundering and corruption. Many people see it as Erdogan acting well in advance to avoid competition in 2028, something his himself is likely to turn away as propaganda.
But the arrest will have effects.
A Turkish colleague wrote earlier today: “It feels like a huge pressure in the air right now in Istanbul.”
Which also understands the Turkish state apparatus and in the Erdogan spirit banned demonstrations for four days.
A new limit has been crossed and there are probably many opposition politicians who are currently looking over the shoulder in Turkey.