The recent arrest of Ekrem Imamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul and a key rival to President Erdoğan, has sparked nationwide protests, signaling growing discontent with Erdoğan's leadership and authoritarian tendencies. Accusations of corruption and terrorism against Imamoğlu are viewed by many as politically motivated. The crackdown marks a potential transition from a 'competitive authoritarian' regime to outright oppression. Notably, this comes on the heels of a call for a ceasefire from the PKK's imprisoned leader, highlighting the complex political landscape in Turkey. Expert Jenny White discusses the implications of Imamoğlu's detention on Erdoğan's power dynamics going forward.
Erdoğan's increasing authoritarianism is evident in his crackdown on opponents like Ekrem Imamoğlu, indicating a transformation toward a more repressive governance model without genuine political competition.
The arrest of Imamoğlu marks a significant moment in Turkish politics. If Erdoğan gets away with this, Turkey's regime may move from 'competitive authoritarian' to something far more oppressive.
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