Protests Erupt in Turkey Amid Political Crackdown on Opposition

Protests continue in Turkey following the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has emerged as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's primary electoral challenger. İmamoğlu was arrested on charges that many view as politically motivated, including corruption and ties to terrorist organizations, which have led to significant unrest in Turkey’s three largest cities. The ruling AKP is perceived to be using İmamoğlu's detention to weaken opposition parties, while the mayor's imprisonment has galvanized support from the Republican People's Party (CHP) and over 13 million sympathizers. Although the protests have not reached the scale of the 2013 Gezi Park demonstrations, they reflect a growing discontent with Erdoğan's rule. Internationally, Erdoğan's position remains strong as Turkey plays a critical role in geopolitical issues, despite facing domestic challenges. Analysts suggest that the arrest could backfire politically, potentially rallying opposition against Erdoğan in future elections.