Ekrem İmamoğlu: The opposition leader who shook Turkey

Turkey, often at the center of global attention, has once again made headlines. The recent arrest of opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19 has sparked large-scale protests and demonstrations across the country. As March 23 approaches, anticipation is growing—not just within his party or in Istanbul, but throughout Turkey.

Who is this figure at the center of political turbulence? Could his influence surpass that of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan? This article explores these questions.

Who is Ekrem İmamoğlu?

Originally a businessman in the construction sector, 55-year-old Ekrem İmamoğlu is the mayor of Istanbul and a key figure in the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). Notably, he is the only politician to have defeated Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in three consecutive local elections.

İmamoğlu joined the CHP in 2008, at a time when the party was struggling against the AKP and experiencing a period of decline. Founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the CHP had long been out of power but remained the main opposition force.

In 2009, İmamoğlu became the leader of the party’s youth wing. His popularity grew, leading to his election as mayor of Beylikdüzü, a district in Istanbul, in 2014.

In 2017, following the resignation of Istanbul’s AKP-affiliated mayor Kadir Topbaş, İmamoğlu sought to take over the position. However, the city council appointed another AKP member, Mevlüt Uysal, instead. This setback forced İmamoğlu to wait until the 2019 elections to officially run for mayor of Istanbul.

The election, held in late March 2019, resulted in İmamoğlu’s victory—an unexpected blow to the AKP, which had governed Istanbul for decades. Erdoğan himself once remarked:

"Whoever wins Istanbul, wins Turkey."

However, İmamoğlu’s initial time in office lasted only 18 days. The Supreme Election Council annulled the results, citing alleged voting irregularities, and ordered re-election in June. The second vote, however, was an even greater victory for İmamoğlu: the previous margin of 16,000 votes grew to 800,000.

His political success continued in 2024, when İmamoğlu secured re-election as Istanbul’s mayor with 50.8% of the vote, while AKP candidate Murat Kurum lost with 40%. Furthermore, the CHP claimed victories in major cities such as Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Antalya, and Bursa.

Obstacles to the Presidency: Arrest and Legal Challenges

On March 23, the CHP announced plans to hold internal elections to nominate a candidate for the 2028 presidential race. İmamoğlu, widely expected to be the frontrunner, was seen as a serious challenger to Erdoğan. However, just days before this announcement, he and 106 of his supporters were arrested on charges of alleged ties to the Kurdish militant organization PKK, corruption, and racketeering. Some reports also mention terrorism-related accusations.

The CHP has dismissed these charges as a political conspiracy designed to remove İmamoğlu from the political stage. Turkey’s Justice Minister, however, insists that the judiciary is acting independently.

This is not the first time İmamoğlu has faced legal trouble. After his 2019 election victory, he was sentenced to over two years in prison in 2022 for allegedly insulting the Supreme Election Council by calling its members “idiots.” Although he appealed the decision, the case remains unresolved, leaving his political future uncertain.

Adding to his legal troubles, Istanbul University revoked İmamoğlu’s diploma in 1990, citing irregularities in his transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus to its Business Administration Faculty. Under Turkish law, a presidential candidate must hold a university degree, making this decision a potential legal roadblock to his candidacy.

Public Outrage and Mass Protests

During his tenure as mayor, İmamoğlu prioritized improving living conditions in Istanbul, particularly infrastructure development. This focus on public welfare has earned him widespread support. As his popularity has grown, many see him as a future president.

Following his arrest, mass protests erupted across Turkey. CHP leader Özgür Özel and İmamoğlu’s wife, Dilek İmamoğlu, have delivered public speeches condemning the charges. Although Istanbul authorities imposed a ban on public gatherings, protests continued, fueled by calls from CHP leaders to oppose the government’s actions. Thousands took to the streets, chanting slogans in support of İmamoğlu and demanding Erdoğan’s resignation.

Two Political Rivals: Similar Paths, Different Visions

Political analysts have noted striking similarities between İmamoğlu and Erdoğan’s early careers. Both men hail from Turkey’s Black Sea region, received religious education, played football in their youth, and launched their political careers as mayors of Istanbul. Both also faced controversies regarding their academic degrees.

However, despite these parallels, İmamoğlu emphasizes that his political views sharply contrast with Erdoğan’s. Here are some of their key differences:

• Governance Model – İmamoğlu supports a return to a strong parliamentary system, while Erdoğan has consolidated power under a presidential system since 2017.
• Secularism vs. Religion – İmamoğlu champions the secular principles of Atatürk, while Erdoğan integrates Islamic values into governance.
• Economic Policy – İmamoğlu advocates for a social justice-oriented economic model, whereas Erdoğan promotes free-market policies with increased state intervention.
• Foreign Policy – İmamoğlu seeks closer ties with the West and the European Union, while Erdoğan follows a more independent strategy, balancing relations with NATO, Russia, and China.

Political scientist Berk Esen highlights İmamoğlu’s ability to unite diverse opposition groups, noting:

"He appeals to all segments of the opposition—Turkish or Kurdish, Sunni, Shiite, or Alevi, young or old."

The Future of Turkey’s Leadership

According to Turkey’s current constitution, a president cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. Erdoğan’s second five-year term, secured in the May 2023 elections, is set to end in 2028. However, critics accuse him of planning early elections to extend his rule.

As political tensions rise and events unfold rapidly, it remains unclear what the future holds for İmamoğlu and Turkish politics. One thing is certain: this is a developing story that will continue to shape the country’s trajectory.