** The arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu: a shock wave revealing at the heart of Turkish politics **
On March 20, 2024, the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, mayor of Istanbul and a charismatic figure of the Turkish opposition, caused a shock wave not only in the Turkish metropolis, but throughout the country. What could appear as a simple local event has deep implications for democracy in Türkiye and for the country’s political landscape, already marked by extreme polarization.
Imamoglu, accused of “corruption” and “terrorism”, is at the heart of a confrontation between authoritarian power and an opposition that is struggling to be heard. His arrest arises when he was to be appointed candidate of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) for the presidential elections of 2028. A role which, ironically, would be de facto withdrawn due to a cancellation of his higher education diploma. This withdrawal seems to be calculated, a tactical approach to weaken the opposition by means of a legal manipulation.
From a sociological point of view, the popular reaction in the face of this arrest is indicative of the fears that inhabit a significant part of the Turkish population. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the seat of the municipality, expressing their support for a man who has become the symbol of a struggle for democracy. It is a phenomenon that goes beyond Imamoglu: it is part of the belief of an educated generation which aspires to a vision of a more democratic and more open Turkey, in line with its various and plural history.
Comparisons could also be established with other political regimes in the world, where the authorities use legal maneuvers to neutralize dissent. The similarities with cases such as Hungary or Russia, where opposition leaders are systematically eliminated by legal means, raises the question of the resilience of democratic systems in the face of authoritarianism. In view of history, these authority measures are often the last recourse of power that fears to lose control.
According to recent statistics from the Pew Research Center, 70 % of Turks believe that democracy is essential to society, but the current political reality testifies to a deterioration of civil freedoms. The perception of democracy in Türkiye continues to erode, as indicated by the results of the polls which show Decline for the Party of Justice and Development (AKP) of Erdogan. In addition, the population now receives judicial intervention as a tool for repression rather than the guarantor of justice.
It is interesting to note that this series of events could also be a decisive moment for the government party. As researcher Dorothée Schmid writes, President Erdogan could be in a position of vulnerability, despite his authority measures. Indeed, an electoral basis that weakens combines the stress of a national economy assigned by inflation and mismanagement, and the rise of a generation which seems eager to claim its economic and political rights.
In terms of analysis, the arrest of İmaMoğlu and the demonstrations that have ensued could provide for a capital political development. Although the Turkish political scene has many turbulence in the past, the growing affirmation of leftist parties, social movements and committed youth could create a political bubbling in the face of authoritarianism. The opportunity for a real coalition of progressive forces could now take shape.
In the end, recent events ask a crucial question: can authoritarianism really dominate popular will? The arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu is much more than a simple isolated incident; It is the mirror of a policy that takes increasing repression measures without worrying about the consequences on democracy. What is currently being played in Türkiye is not only the fate of a man, but that of a people ready to claim their rights in the face of power that has become tyrannical. History has taught us that these struggles were never in vain. In the context of the arrest of this charismatic leader and the demonstrations that follow, it is legitimate to wonder if Turkey is not at the dawn of a new democratic turning point.