İstanbul's Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu delivers a speech during a demonstration following the arrest of the Mayor of Esenyurt, at the Esenyurt Square in İstanbul, on October 31, 2024. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)
İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, considered the strongest opposition contender against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, kicked off his campaign Saturday to secure the presidential nomination of Turkey’s main opposition party, vowing Erdoğan’s time in power has come to an end.
Speaking to supporters, İmamoğlu vowed to restore democracy, justice and national unity, accusing Erdoğan’s administration of undermining Turkey’s democratic foundations through political pressure and divisive policies.
“We are here not only to win an election but also to regain our national unity and brotherhood,” İmamoğlu said. “This election is a democratic revolution.”
İmamoğlu urged members of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) to actively participate in the March 23 primaries, marking the first time in CHP history that the presidential candidate will be chosen directly by party members.
Later in his speech İmamoğlu alleged that Erdoğan’s government had recently seized the assets and bank accounts of numerous people associated with him, describing these actions as intimidation tactics against opposition supporters.
İmamoğlu, who rose to national prominence after defeating Erdoğan’s candidate in İstanbul’s 2019 mayoral race, is widely viewed as the opposition figure most capable of unseating Erdoğan, who has been in power for over two decades.
Turkey’s next presidential election is officially scheduled for 2028, but speculation is mounting that President Erdoğan may call an early vote. Although Erdoğan is constitutionally barred from seeking another term, observers expect he will attempt to circumvent these restrictions.