On 19 March, Istanbul Mayor and prominent future presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested. His detention has sparked ongoing protests, despite significant restrictions on freedom of assembly, internet access, and social media. İmamoğlu has been leading by a wide margin in many opinion polls against President Erdoğan, making this move a significant blow for democracy in Türkiye.
Against this backdrop, this EPC discussion will examine the motivations behind his arrest, potential developments, and the broader implications for Türkiye's democratic forces. Its relationship with the EU and the potential domestic repercussions, including economic consequences will also be discussed.
Participation is open to EPC members only, the media, and EU officials