Brussels Sprouts Turkey’s Democratic Downturn
13 snips
Mar 26, 2025 
Join Soner Çağaptay, a Turkish politics expert at the Washington Institute, and Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, a Brookings fellow on Turkish affairs, as they dive into Turkey's turbulent political landscape. They discuss the recent arrests of opposition leaders and the implications for democracy. The guests highlight Turkey's strategic ambitions amidst economic challenges and its crucial role in European geopolitics, especially regarding the Ukraine conflict. Expect gripping insights on the evolving political dynamics and the potential for grassroots movements in Turkey.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Imamoglu's Threat
- Imamoglu's 2019 Istanbul mayoral win, repeated after the initial election's cancellation, made him a threat to Erdogan.
- His rising popularity and the economic downturn pose a challenge to Erdogan's re-election.
Erdogan's Shift to Authoritarianism
- Erdogan's arrest of Imamoglu marks a shift from competitive authoritarianism to pure authoritarianism.
- Imamoglu's relatable, charismatic nature, and broad appeal make him a significant threat to Erdogan.
Preemptive Arrest
- Erdogan aimed to arrest Imamoglu before the CHP primary to prevent his official candidacy.
- This preemptive move reflects Erdogan's concern about Imamoglu's growing political momentum.