Erdoğan locks up the opposition

Published on 26 March 2025
Erdogan_Imamoglu_OSchopf

The kind of demonstrations not seen for more than ten years: since Wednesday 19 March, citizens of Turkey have been taking to the streets to protest against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, AKP, Islamo-conservative). The catalyst was the arrest, at dawn on the same day, of Ekrem İmamoğlu (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi, CHP, centre-left), the mayor of Istanbul and the president's main rival, as part of a corruption investigation. Coming just a few days before İmamoğlu's announced nomination as a candidate for the 2028 presidential election, the arrest is seen by many as a clear attempt to muzzle the opposition. In total, around one hundred people linked to the CHP were arrested along with İmamoğlu.

The protests, which began with thousands of people, have only intensified. The response from authorities has been harsh: in addition to the violent repression of the demonstrations, more than 1,000 people have been arrested, including many journalists.


Receive the best of European journalism straight to your inbox every Thursday

Interesting article?

It was made possible by Voxeurop’s community. High-quality reporting and translation comes at a cost. To continue producing independent journalism, we need your support.

Subscribe or Donate

More comments Become a member to translate comments and participate

Are you a news organisation, a business, an association or a foundation? Check out our bespoke editorial and translation services.

Support border-free European journalism

See our subscription offers, or donate to bolster our independence

On the same topic