ISTANBUL (Reuters) – The newly re-elected Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has emerged as the main challenger to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s reign. However, in some ways, he is following in the footsteps of the Turkish leader who ran the city in the 1990s. Both Imamoglu and Erdogan have family roots in the eastern Black Sea region, have faced obstacles from Turkey’s courts, and were keen footballers in their youth.
Imamoglu, 53, secured a comfortable victory in Sunday’s mayoral elections and is now seen as a potential future president by many analysts. Despite their shared ability to attract voters, Imamoglu has emphasized that his political ideas are largely opposite to Erdogan’s.
While Erdogan entered politics with an Islamist party and has reshaped the secular state with his pious vision since 2002, Imamoglu hails from the staunchly secularist Republican People’s Party (CHP) and joined in 2008, eventually becoming the mayor of Istanbul’s Beylikduzu district a decade ago.
Imamoglu’s success is attributed to his ability to break through the social democratic CHP’s traditional support ceiling of around 25% in Turkey and appeal to more conservative voters. This was evident in 2019 when he defeated Erdogan’s AK Party (AKP) candidate in two successive elections, despite a court annulling his initial victory.
Although Erdogan won re-election as president last year amid economic challenges, Imamoglu’s recent victory is seen as another significant blow to the ruling party. “This is more than a mayoral election, it is consigning a mentality to history,” Imamoglu said, emphasizing the importance of democracy, law, and justice.
Critics of Erdogan argue that Turkey’s judiciary, civil rights, and press freedoms have deteriorated under his leadership, a claim vehemently denied by the government. Imamoglu himself has faced judicial challenges, with a recent court case opened against him for tender rigging, which critics view as politically motivated.
Imamoglu, who was born in the Black Sea province of Trabzon in 1970, studied at Istanbul University before entering his family’s construction business. Married with three children, he described his childhood in Trabzon as idyllic, surrounded by nature and the sea. His recent victory contrasts with the state of Istanbul after Erdogan became mayor in 1994.
Supported by a strong alliance of conscience, Imamoglu’s win in the mayoral election signals potential future success. Many analysts predict that he could become president in 2028 if the current election is not challenged. The rivalry between Imamoglu and Erdogan is expected to intensify on the national stage in the coming years.
Reflecting on their first encounter in the mid-1990s when Erdogan visited the meatball restaurant that Imamoglu was running, the mayor shared a light-hearted anecdote. “He ate meatballs in my restaurant. I didn’t take his money. He won’t pay that bill as long as he lives,” Imamoglu recalled.
Despite facing obstacles from Ankara, Imamoglu highlighted the progress and development his administration has brought to Istanbul, a city of 16 million that drives Turkey’s economy. As a potential future leader in Turkish politics, Imamoglu’s rise marks a significant shift in the country’s political landscape.
Imamoglu’s ability to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters and his commitment to democracy and justice have positioned him as a formidable challenger to Erdogan’s rule. The coming years are likely to witness a growing rivalry between the two leaders as they vie for dominance in Turkish politics.
Imamoglu’s victory in the mayoral election represents a turning point in Turkish politics, signaling a potential shift away from Erdogan’s longstanding grip on power. With his inclusive approach and focus on serving the people of Istanbul, Imamoglu has strengthened his position as a key player in Turkey’s political future.
As the political landscape in Turkey continues to evolve, Imamoglu’s rise stands as a testament to the changing dynamics of power and influence in the country. With a vision for democracy and justice, Imamoglu represents a new era in Turkish politics that challenges the status quo and offers a fresh perspective for the future.
