US EditionIn Turkey, authoritarian president faces burgeoning protests
- On March 19, 2025, protests erupted in Istanbul against the arrest of popular Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Turkish President Erdoğan's chief political rival, who was about to be nominated as the presidential candidate for the Republican People's Party ahead of the 2028 elections.
- Imamoglu's arrest, which CHP leaders called a coup, was based on corruption charges, allegations of aiding the proscribed Kurdish autonomy party , and other accusations, leading to coordinated raids and the detention of nearly 2,000 people, including journalists and business figures.
- Tens of thousands of protesters, recalling mass anti-government demonstrations from 12 years prior, took to the streets demanding Imamoglu's release and earlier elections, expressing grievances against the ruling AKP party, including weakening human rights, rising inflation, and unemployment, which they see as signs of an ailing economy.
- According to law student Serra Aktay, protesters feel they cannot express themselves without risking jail, while Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu accused Mr. Erdogan of being afraid of his opponent.
- Experts suggest the protests reflect widespread anger, particularly among the youth, but President Erdogan dismissed them as a show, while others predict that the demonstrations, addressing larger issues, may have a better chance of success, although Ms. Akca believes it's unlikely for the president to step back based on previous examples and Dr. Tol suggests Erdogan may not want to risk the chaos and economic downturn that continued mass protests would bring.
38 Articles
38 Articles
‘They’ve crossed the fear threshold’: Turkey’s youth rise up against Erdoğan
University students with no history of activism are now at the forefront of demonstrations against Turkish president's increasingly authoritarian rule following arrest of popular Istanbul mayor
The Straits Times
Young Turks drive protests against Erdogan as new generation seeks change
ANKARA - A new generation of young Turks is at the forefront of mass protests against President Tayyip Erdogan’s government, demanding change in a country they see as increasingly authoritarian. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Europe Turns a Blind Eye to Erdogan’s Crackdown
“Turkey’s suppression of democratic opposition would have elicited strong protests from Europe in the past. But now, the worst rift in trans-Atlantic relations in generations and the growing threat from Russia are trumping those concerns,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
Why this young activist is risking his freedom to speak out against Turkey's president
Youth activist Enes Hocaoğulları is preparing for the possibility of arrest upon his return to Turkey, following his speech about the anti-government protests at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Strasbourg, France.
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