Türkiye’s Democratic Future

March 24th, 2025

Ty Tan

Istanbul’s detained and arrested Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, made a bold statement to his followers in a video, stating “I will not give up,” in reference to the legal and democratic uphill battle Imamoglu now faces. Now beginning to appear in court, Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested on charges such as graft and aiding a terrorist group. With his arrival in court hearings, the Turkish people have begun to protest, mobilizing tens of thousands in support of Imamoglu. This evolving situation poses insurmountable risks to Türkiye and the future of its democracy.

The story of Türkiye currently isn’t that far-fetched for current Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During his first step into the political fray, Erdogan faced similar arrests and oppression for his Welfare Party. Now, Imamoglu is reliving the same nightmare, facing legal setbacks such as a 2-1/2 year prison sentence and corruption. Other investigations are claiming that Imamoglu and six others are aiding the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Further action against Imamoglu saw Istanbul University annulled his degree, making him ineligible to run in the 2028 Presidential elections. With all these allegations being placed alongside his detainment, Imamoglu faces major challenges to staying in politics.

In response to the allegations placed against Imamoglu, the Turkish people have escalated their protests. Although the Istanbul governor’s office imposed a four-day ban on protests and public gatherings, it hasn’t deterred organizing. Since March 19th, Imamoglu’s party, the Republican People's Party (CHP) has called for the people to protest. Days of protests have seen primarily students chanting in the streets, saying “We are not scared, we won't be silenced, we will not obey” - a common slogan of the opposition in Türkiye. Spreading to dozens of cities, the protests have been met harshly by Turkish police.

The peaceful demonstrations in cities in Istanbul have been met with tear gas and water cannons, alongside detaining 1,100 people involved. Turkish President Erdogan has condemned the protests, saying his government wouldn’t surrender to the “vandalism”. This is not surprising, considering Erdogan, who promised he wouldn’t run in 2028, is seemingly walking back on this statement, potentially seeking to extend his control. Under his autocratic rule, Turkish opposition is frequently invalidated or harshly silenced.

As many discuss the implications of Imamoglu’s detainment, it's important to understand the bigger picture. This event is a turning point for Turkish democracy, one that could decide whether or not democracy survives or if Türkiye backslides into authoritarian rule. This calculated decision to remove Imamoglu sends a bold message, at a time when authoritarian rule is on the rise. With Erdogan seeking to cement his dominance over Türkiye, the struggle seen now will be an omen to the strength of Türkiye’s Democratic Character for years to come. Yet when people like 63 year old Ayten Oktay say, “We will defend our rights until the end,” the Turkish people have a chance at upholding democracy.