The Foreign Desk Is Erdoğan’s crackdown backfiring?
Mar 29, 2025
Hannah Lucinda-Smith, Monocle’s Istanbul correspondent, dives into the fervor of recent protests against President Erdoğan's increasing authoritarianism. Shafak Timosh from the New York Times explores the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the political motives behind it. Analyst Selim Kourou discusses the implications of Erdoğan's actions for Turkey's future. The conversation reveals a growing public dissent, echoes of the Gezi Park protests, and the potential for a generational shift in the political landscape.
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İmamoğlu's Arrest
- Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, was arrested.
- He is also the presidential nominee for Erdogan's opposition.
Scale of Protests
- The protests following İmamoğlu's arrest are the largest in a decade, reminiscent of the 2013 Gezi Park protests.
- Public anger stems from various issues like the declining economy and crackdowns on speech and media.
Protest Demands
- Protesters are demanding Erdogan's resignation.
- However, Erdogan likely won't step down due to his control over state and security forces.