Turkish opposition vows to fight Erdogan after Imamoglu arrest

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel accuses Erdogan of staging a coup and calls for early elections amid growing unrest.

Ozgur Ozel, leader of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), speaks during a rally in Istanbul on April 9, 2025. Photo by Yasin Akgul/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The Turkish opposition vows to fight Erdogan after Imamoglu arrest, as tensions continue to rise in the country’s political landscape. In a determined and fiery interview with AFP on Wednesday, Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of orchestrating what he called a “coup” by arresting Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu — the man widely regarded as Erdogan’s top challenger in the next presidential race.

Ozel, speaking in Istanbul, vowed that the opposition’s resistance “will continue until the end.” He described the arrest as a direct attack on democracy and the future leadership of Turkey. Imamoglu’s imprisonment, he argued, is not just a blow to the CHP but to every Turkish citizen who believes in free elections and democratic processes.

“Erdogan carried out a coup against his own rival,” Ozel stated. “He carried out a coup against the next president of Turkey, our presidential candidate. That is why our resistance and struggle against this will continue until the end.”

A growing movement against authoritarian rule

The arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, who had served as mayor of Istanbul since 2019 and had become a symbol of urban resistance to Erdogan’s rule, sparked nationwide outrage. Massive protests erupted throughout Turkey, reminiscent of the 2013 Gezi Park demonstrations. For many, Imamoglu’s detainment symbolized the shrinking space for dissent under Erdogan’s government.

Although the intensity of the protests briefly waned during the Eid al-Fitr holidays, the CHP is determined to keep the movement alive.

To do this, Ozel outlined a clear strategy: weekly rallies in Istanbul, specifically in districts with strong opposition support, followed by weekend protests in key Anatolian cities. The first of these, he said, would be held in Samsun — a city heavy with symbolism, as it was where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk launched the Turkish War of Independence in 1919.

“This is not just a protest,” Ozel said. “It’s a reminder of our roots. It’s a continuation of the spirit of the republic.”

7.2 million signatures and counting

The CHP’s petition for Imamoglu’s release has already gathered a staggering 7.2 million signatures — a number Ozel says they hope to double.

“Our goal is to get at least half of Turkey’s 61.4 million registered voters to sign the petition,” he explained. “This will be the largest vote of no confidence Erdogan has ever faced.”

According to Ozel, the petition isn’t just about freeing Imamoglu — it’s about forcing early elections and restoring democracy in a country that many believe is increasingly slipping into authoritarianism.

“This is a peaceful, democratic uprising,” Ozel declared. “And it’s just getting started.”

Erdogan’s tightening grip

President Erdogan’s political tactics have grown more aggressive in recent years. Following the 2016 failed coup attempt, his government cracked down hard on critics, journalists, academics, and civil servants, arresting tens of thousands and reshaping the Turkish judiciary and military to suit his administration.

But the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu — an elected official and a leading presidential contender — marks a new escalation. Critics say it reveals Erdogan’s fear of losing power in the upcoming general elections, which are still scheduled for 2028 unless brought forward.

Erdogan’s administration has defended the arrest, citing legal grounds related to alleged “insults to public officials.” However, many observers, including international human rights organizations, have dismissed these charges as politically motivated.

Resistance rooted in legacy

By launching the post-Ramadan protest wave in Samsun, Ozel is invoking the legacy of Ataturk — the founder of modern Turkey and a figure still revered across much of the country, especially by secularists and Kemalists. This is a deliberate move to remind citizens of the republic’s founding values: democracy, justice, and sovereignty.

“Our resistance is not just about today’s injustice,” Ozel explained. “It is about protecting the very foundation of the republic. If Imamoglu is silenced today, then tomorrow it could be any of us.”

The CHP has also vowed to take the issue to international platforms, urging European and global leaders to condemn Erdogan’s crackdown and recognize what Ozel calls “a coup against the ballot box.”

What’s next?

For now, the Turkish political scene remains in flux. While Erdogan retains a loyal base, especially among more conservative and rural voters, the opposition appears energized and unified in a way not seen in years.

The coming weeks will be critical. If the CHP can sustain its momentum and continue building public pressure, it could succeed in reshaping the national conversation — or even force the early elections it seeks.

Imamoglu’s fate, too, hangs in the balance. His legal team is preparing to appeal the charges, and public support for his release remains strong. His imprisonment may have removed him from the immediate political stage, but paradoxically, it has also elevated his status — transforming him into a symbol of resistance.

A fight for the future

As the Turkish opposition vows to fight Erdogan after Imamoglu arrest, what’s unfolding is more than a political standoff — it’s a struggle for Turkey’s soul. Ozel’s words echo not just within Turkey’s borders, but far beyond, resonating with those who champion democracy and human rights around the world.

“This is not just Imamoglu’s fight,” Ozel said. “This is Turkey’s fight. And we will not give up.”