Türkiye: CHP Nominates Suspended Mayor for Presidential Elections

AFP

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the suspended mayor of Istanbul.

On Monday, 24 March 2025, Türkiye's Republican People's Party (CHP) officially nominated Ekrem Imamoglu, the suspended mayor of Istanbul,  to run in the upcoming presidential elections.

In press statements, the CHP's officials emphasised that İmamoğlu’s arrest does not constitute a legal barrier to his candidacy, as no formal conviction has been issued against him. They also described the decision to annul his academic credentials as a "clear attempt to prevent his candidacy."

CHP leader Özgür Özal revealed that nearly 15 million people participated in the symbolic primary elections organised by the party to choose its presidential candidate.

Özal explained that 1.65 million official party members, along with more than 13 million independent voters, cast ballots in the elections held at the party’s headquarters, “reflecting broad support for İmamoğlu, even among those not affiliated with the party.”

Imamoglu, who was detained on Sunday, 23 March 2025, arrived at the Marmara Prison after a court ordered his imprisonment. The court announced that Imamoglu, along with 20 other individuals, is being held in connection with a corruption case, while the terrorism investigation remains under judicial review.

The suspended mayor has denied the charges, calling them "unimaginable accusations and slanders." His arrest caused wide political tensions and sparked widespread protests across Türkiye, with demonstrators gathering in several cities to voice their opposition.

The next election is set for 2028, but the current Turkish President has reached his two-term limit as president after previously serving as prime minister. If he wishes to run again, he must call an early election or change the constitution.

On Saturday, 22 March 2025, the president, who has run the country for more than 22 years, accused the CHP of trying to "provoke our nation", adding they would not tolerate vandalism.



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