** Istanbul in boiling: a historical contestation at the heart of the modern Ottoman Empire **
On March 23, 2024, the Place de la Mairie d’Istanbul was the scene of an unprecedented popular demonstration, marking a turning point in the fight for democracy in Türkiye. While tens of thousands of demonstrators proudly brandished flags, the atmosphere was charged with a palpable intensity, carried by the absence of the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, and by a tense political context under the authoritarian regime of Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
### The context: a democracy under the test
Recent events around the incarceration of imamoglu, an emblematic figure of the opposition, cannot be dissociated from the broader dynamics of repression and control that has characterized Turkey for several years. However, this phenomenon should not be considered only from the angle of bipolar opposition; It is part of a larger historical framework, where the roots of Turkish nationalism and democracy meet.
Indeed, since the advent of the Republic in 1923, Turkey has oscillated between democratic promises and disappointments. Popular movements, whether of secular or Islamist origin, have often been repressed in the egg, giving way to a series of governments that have sought to suffocate any dispute. In this sense, the demonstrations of March 2024 only revive a collective memory of resistance, symbol of a nation in search of its voice.
### The face of contestation: a social mosaic
What actively distinguishes the mobilization of March 23 from previous manifestations is its heterogeneous social basis. By observing the diversity of participants – young students, workers, women and retirees – we perceive the emergence of a real social mosaic. This highlights a crucial point: the call for freedom and justice now transcends traditional cleavages.
According to a recent study by the Turkey Statistical Research Institute, more than 65 % of young people between 18 and 30 years old are positioned in favor of a radical change within the government, stressing an increasing deterioration in their confidence in institutions. This uprising is therefore similar to a quest for identity, shaped by years of frustrations at a system perceived as corrupt and authoritarian. The powerful symbol of Imamoglu embodying resistance, it has almost become the icon of a generation aspiring to justice.
### International momentum and a global resonance
The decision to withdraw the political rights of Ekrem Imamoglu caused unprecedented international involvement. Political figures and human rights organizations around the world have been strongly expressed against this blatant violation of democratic rights, echoing solidarity which recalls global resistance movements.
Globally, the collapse of Turkish democracy is symptomatic of an alarming trend: many countries see the emergence of populist leaders which exploit economic and social fears to justify measures which undermine the very foundations of democracy. This phenomenon could be compared to other authoritarian systems, such as those of Hungary or Poland, where authoritarianism takes root under the guise of nationalism.
### to the future: what impact for Turkey?
It will be crucial to follow the evolution of the situation in Türkiye in the coming months. The participation figures in these events suggest a potential rise in tensions, especially with the next municipal elections as a backdrop. Political fragmentation could shake the bases of the Erdogan regime, which must juggle repression and make believe in a certain form of stability.
### Conclusion: not just an uprising
Istanbul events of March 23, 2024 should not be reduced to a simple news event. They draw the contours of a struggle for a future where the voices of citizens are heard, a quest for justice and democracy that transcends generations. Erdogan’s grip could be used if the opposition manages to unite its forces around a common project, but the road to this unification still seems sown with pitfalls. It is imperative for international observers to pay attention to this movement, because it is not only a political change, but a deep societal change whose echoes could resonate far beyond the borders of Turkey.