15 million people voted for deposed, detained Istanbul mayor
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Around 15 million people cast their votes in a primary organized by Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
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Riot police officers clash with protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkiye, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP)
Istanbul’s recently deposed mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, was detained early Wednesday, sparking nationwide protests, after a symbolic opposition primary drew an overwhelming turnout in his support.
The primary, organized by Turkiye’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), saw around 15 million people cast their votes, according to the municipality.
"Out of a total of 15 million votes, 13,211,000 were solidarity votes from non-party members," the municipality stated, highlighting broad public backing for Imamoglu.
The event, which was meant to officially position him as the CHP’s candidate for the 2028 presidential race, took place just hours before an Istanbul court formalized his arrest in a corruption probe.
'Strongest challenger to Erdogan'
Observers believe the looming primary prompted the legal action against Imamoglu, who is widely regarded as the strongest challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The vote was initially open to CHP’s 1.7 million members, but the party allowed public participation, drawing an unexpectedly high turnout. Due to overwhelming demand, polling stations in 81 cities remained open for an additional three-and-a-half hours.
Later in the day, the Turkish interior ministry suspended Imamoglu from his position as mayor. He was subsequently transferred to a prison on the western outskirts of Istanbul.
Suspended mayor
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been removed from his post following his arrest on corruption charges, according to a statement issued Sunday by the Turkish Interior Ministry.
"Under Article 127 of the Constitution of Turkey, Paragraph 47 of the law on municipalities, Number 5393, Imamoglu has been temporarily suspended from his duties," the ministry said in an announcement shared on X.
The move comes as Imamoglu faces allegations of involvement with a network accused of corruption, bribery, and assisting terrorism. Although a court declined to approve a terrorism-related arrest request, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office plans to challenge that ruling. The final say now rests with the Constitutional Court, local media outlet Sabah reported.
