The imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu signifies Turkey’s shift toward complete authoritarianism under President Erdoğan, who aims to suppress dissent and eliminate potential political challengers. Erdoğan’s policies have culminated in a regime where elections are mere formalities, and opposition is increasingly marginalized, emulating other global authoritarian leaders.
The recent imprisonment of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan underscores Turkey’s shift towards a fully authoritarian regime. By eliminating İmamoğlu, a formidable political contender for the 2028 presidential elections, Erdoğan solidifies his grip on power. This event signals that elections in Turkey will now merely serve as a facade, reminiscent of authoritarian regimes found in Belarus, Russia, and Venezuela.
Erdoğan’s vision promotes a unified society driven by political Islam, where dissent is systematically suppressed. His rise involved purging civilian and military components of the former regime through compromised trials, initiating a long process to reshape Turkey’s political landscape. Initially portrayed as a democratic reformer, Erdoğan gained support from various groups but ultimately undermined those reforms, consolidating control over judicial systems.
The turning point in Erdoğan’s governance occurred during the 2013 Gezi Park protests, leading him to adopt a more divisive political stance. This shift marked a departure from his earlier moderate image, intensifying societal polarization and opposition suppression. Following his 2014 presidential election victory, he began to operate beyond constitutional restrictions, transforming the executive role to align with that of a party leader.
The coup attempt by Gülenist officers in 2016 provided Erdoğan with an opportunity to overhaul the public administration dramatically. Thousands were arrested, and many others were dismissed during a state of emergency, targeting opposition movements, notably the legal Kurdish political party, the HDP. Erdoğan’s alliance with the far-right Nationalist Movement Party further deepened Turkey’s detachment from the Western political landscape.
Following the constitutional changes in 2017 that established a presidential system, two main political rivals emerged: Ankara’s Mayor Mansur Yavaş and Istanbul’s İmamoğlu. İmamoğlu was viewed as the most promising alternative to Erdoğan in the next elections. However, his recent disqualification indicates Erdoğan’s intention to limit serious electoral competition, mirroring strategies employed by global authoritarian figures.
The implications of İmamoğlu’s imprisonment extend beyond individual politics, indicating a potential crackdown on other dissenters, including secular journalists and artists. The Republican People’s Party, now restructured under İmamoğlu’s leadership, faces marginalization that could undermine the party’s influence within Turkey’s politics. As the political landscape becomes increasingly defined by authoritarianism globally, Erdoğan’s ambitions for a homogenous Islamic society appear to face fewer obstacles.
In summary, Turkey’s political landscape has drastically shifted further toward authoritarianism following the imprisonment of İmamoğlu. Erdoğan’s actions reflect a consolidation of power that limits democratic processes and stifles dissenting voices. As the country faces impending challenges, the hope for a vibrant opposition greatly diminishes, and the forecast for Turkey’s political future appears starkly oppressive.
Original Source: jacobin.com
