İmamoğlu joins opposition shift
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu announced his withdrawal from the Republican People's Party and his joining of a newly formed political party, a move that reflects a reshuffling of Turkey's opposition landscape and opens a new chapter in the political rivalry with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This comes after judicial and political developments within the party, including the ousting of its leadership and the return of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to the party presidency, amid a split by the former opposition leader Özgür Ozal and 90 deputies who established a new party aimed at challenging the Justice and Development Party (AKP). The new party is expected to attract a significant portion of Republican People's Party voters and could enhance İmamoğlu’s chances in the presidential race, although internal divisions may also boost Erdoğan’s prospects in the upcoming elections scheduled for 2028. Additionally, İmamoğlu, who has been jailed for over a year pending trial on corruption charges, faces legal obstacles, including the revocation of his degree from Istanbul University, which was a requirement for presidential candidacy. Observers suggest that this shift could alter the balance of political power in Turkey, but Erdoğan might leverage it to strengthen his electoral position, amid ongoing doubts about Turkish authorities’ intentions to suppress opposition.
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