Clearing the Board: İmamoğlu’s Arrest Signals a New Phase in Turkish Politics

A large poster of Mr. İmamoğlu draped over a building in Turkey

In March 2025, Istanbul University annulled Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma. The university cited irregularities in his transfer process from Girne American University, located in Northern Cyprus, leading to the revocation of degrees for İmamoğlu and 27 others. The decision raised questions about İmamoğlu's eligibility for future political roles, given the constitutional requirement for presidential candidates to hold a post-secondary degree. 

The day following the annulment, March 19, İmamoğlu was detained on charges of corruption and alleged affiliations with the outlawed and separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). By March 23, he was formally arrested on these charges.

 The government maintains that the judiciary operates independently, while critics view these actions as politically motivated.

Timeline of Events

• March 18, 2025: Istanbul University revokes Ekrem İmamoğlu's college degree, potentially disqualifying him from future presidential candidacy.

• March 19, 2025: İmamoğlu is detained on charges of corruption and alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

• March 23, 2025: Following his detention, İmamoğlu is formally arrested on corruption charges.

• March 29, 2025: Hundreds of thousands protest in Istanbul against İmamoğlu's imprisonment, marking some of the largest demonstrations in Turkey in over a decade.

• April 6, 2025: The Republican People's Party (CHP) holds an extraordinary congress, reelecting Özgür Özel as chairman and confirming İmamoğlu as their presidential candidate for the upcoming national election.

Opposition's Response and Boycott

In reaction to İmamoğlu's arrest, the CHP has organized nationwide protests and called for boycotts of government-affiliated businesses. CHP leadership announced plans for weekly demonstrations across various cities, emphasizing the party's commitment to sustaining public pressure.

Erdogan's Consolidation of Power and Succession Plans

These developments occur as President Erdoğan continues to exert significant influence over Turkey's political landscape. Some analysts suggest that by sidelining prominent opposition figures like İmamoğlu, Erdoğan may be clearing the path for a successor or ensuring the continuation of his party's dominance— the most likely candidate is Selçuk Bayraktar, the chief technology officer of the Turkish aerospace company Baykar. The government's assertion of judicial independence is met with skepticism by critics who view these actions as deliberate and strategic moves to suppress dissent and control the political narrative. 

International and Domestic Reactions

The arrest has drawn international concern, with European officials expressing solidarity with the CHP and emphasizing the importance of democratic principles, most notably the separation of powers. Domestically, the protests reflect a significant portion of the populace's dissatisfaction with the current administration's approach to opposition figures. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing demonstrations and legal proceedings likely to influence Turkey's political trajectory in the coming months.