Turkey’s Authoritarian Turn: The Implications of Ekrem İmamoğlu’s Imprisonment

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has escalated Turkey’s authoritarianism by imprisoning Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, effectively removing a significant rival ahead of the 2028 elections. This act symbolizes Turkey’s shift toward full autocracy, suppressing any democratic facade. Erdoğan’s long-term vision includes the establishment of a monolithic Islamic society, indicating troubling times ahead for Turkish democracy and political opposition.

Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has intensified his authoritarian grip by overseeing the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a significant rival ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. This act signifies a critical moment in Turkey’s slide towards autocracy, eliminating the veneer of democratic legitimacy that elections once held, and aligning Turkey with nations such as Belarus and Russia.

Erdoğan’s vision cultivates a politically homogeneous society underpinned by political Islam, where dissent is systematically extinguished. The two-decade transformation includes suppressing previous regime representatives through dubious trials, gaining initial support from liberal factions and Western governments by portraying himself as a proponent of democratic reforms. However, he later turned against the Fethullah Gülen movement, purging officials following a 2013 corruption scandal.

The 2013 Gezi Park protests signaled a shift in Erdoğan’s treatment of opposition, marking the end of a relatively moderate stance. Following his election in 2014, he increasingly disregarded constitutional limits, assuming dictatorial powers, particularly after the 2016 coup attempt. This led to widespread purges across public institutions and the targeting of the Kurdish political movement, significantly diminishing political plurality.

In parallel, Erdoğan formed an alliance with the Nationalist Movement Party, resulting in intensified repression. Following a referendum in 2017 that fortified his presidential powers, İmamoğlu and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş emerged as potent adversaries. İmamoğlu’s charisma and ability to mobilize support rendered him the most formidable challenger to Erdoğan. However, his recent removal indicates Erdoğan’s unwillingness to face any opponent who poses a real threat to his power.

The implications of İmamoğlu’s imprisonment extend beyond individual rivalries. It foreshadows a possible wider crackdown on secular journalists and artists, thus suppressing dissenting voices further. The Republican People’s Party faces challenges that may render it ineffective, allowing Erdoğan to pursue his ambition of a unified Islamic society. As global politics lean towards authoritarianism, with notable figures like Trump and Putin, Erdoğan may find fewer obstacles in fulfilling his autocratic aspirations. Turkey now stands on the edge of an era lacking even a semblance of democratic competition.

The incarceration of Ekrem İmamoğlu signifies a grave turning point in Turkey’s political landscape, reflecting President Erdoğan’s profound authoritarian tendencies. This act not only undermines the chances of a genuine electoral democracy but also reveals a calculated strategy to eliminate pivotal opposition figures. The political climate is poised for further repression, stifling dissent as Turkey moves toward an autocratic future, marked by increasing global acceptance of authoritarian rule.

Original Source: jacobin.com