Biggest protests in Turkey since 2013 Gezi uprising | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ecrim Imamalu on corruption charges
• Political motivation behind the arrest, seen as targeting Erdogan's main opponent
• Widespread protests across Turkey against Imamalu's jailing
• Government response: water cannons, pepper spray, rubber bullets, mass arrests
• CHP (main opposition party) nomination of Imamalu as presidential candidate
• Calls for early elections
• Impact on Turkish economy: stock market plunge, currency devaluation
• International reaction and geopolitical considerations
• Potential for a "Russia-style autocracy" in Turkey
• Gezi Park protests (2013) as a point of comparison
• Challenges for the opposition in maintaining momentum and unity

1. Protests and Government Response:

• Protests erupted in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ecrim Imamalu, stretching into a seventh night.
• Nearly 1500 people have been arrested.
• Police used water cannons, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators in Ankara and Istanbul.
• The protests are the largest anti-government demonstrations in Turkey in over a decade.
• Protesters are openly calling for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government to resign.
• Erdogan has slammed the protests as "street terrorism" and accused the CHP of provoking citizens.

2. Arrest of Ecrim Imamalu and Political Context:

• Ecrim Imamalu, the mayor of Istanbul, was arrested on corruption charges and suspended from his mayoral post.
• His supporters claim the arrest is politically motivated, as Imamalu is considered the main opponent of President Erdogan.
• Imamalu has called the allegations against him baseless and vowed to challenge them in court.
• The CHP has nominated Imamalu as its presidential candidate and is calling for early elections.
• Dinat Tashbash notes that Imamalu's ability to become the opposition's presidential candidate has taken a "huge hit" due to the judicial move.

3. Opposition Strategy and Challenges:

• The CHP is trying to draw strength from the protests and has called for early elections with Ecrim Imamalu as their presidential candidate.
• The CHP has urged its supporters to boycott pro-government companies and television stations to increase economic pressure on Erdogan.
• The opposition faces the challenge of maintaining momentum and unity, especially with Imamalu behind bars.
• Tashbash emphasizes the need for the CHP to "find a popular leader to replace Imamolu" if they are to reverse Turkey's transition to a "Russia-style autocracy."
• Coordination with CHP leadership and maintaining the electoral coalition that Imamalu built is crucial.

4. Economic Impact:

• Following Imamalu's arrest, the stock market plunged, and Turkey's currency plummeted.
• This has dealt a heavy blow to the Turkish economy, which is already struggling with inflation.

5. International Reaction:

• The CHP leadership is reportedly disappointed by the response from Europe and the United States.
• Tashbash suggests that geopolitical considerations, such as the need for Turkey's partnership in the post-Ukraine war security order, may be influencing the muted response from European leaders.
• She also notes that the Trump administration does not prioritize democracy and human rights in its foreign policy towards Turkey.

6. Comparison to Gezi Park Protests:

• The video draws parallels and differences between the current protests and the Gezi Park protests of 2013.
• The Gezi Park protests were initially driven by left-wing groups and became a broader urban secular phenomenon.
• The current protests initially saw larger crowds and a more heterogeneous mix of participants, including Kurdish constituencies and nationalist groups.
• The CHP is concerned about the inability to fully control these diverse groups.

7. Future Prospects:

• Tashbash believes it is "highly unlikely" that Imamalu will be released until the next election.
• She emphasizes that this is a "longer-term struggle" for Imamalu and the CHP.
• Maintaining momentum and pace will be difficult, requiring a "marathon" approach rather than a "sprint."

8. Key Quotes:

• "Those who spread terror in the streets and want to set this country on fire have no goal. The path they're on is a dead end." - President Erdogan, condemning the protests.
• "There's one thing that Mr Erdogan should know and that's that our numbers don't decrease with detentions and arrests. They only increase increase and increase." - Statement from the opposition, emphasizing resilience.
• "I think we are going through unprecedented times in Turkish political history." - Dinat Tashbash, highlighting the significance of the events.
• "This is a an age in which geopolitics matters more than democracy and values." - Dinat Tashbash, commenting on the international response.

9. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• CHP (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi): The main opposition party in Turkey.
• Autocracy: A system of government in which absolute power is concentrated in the hands of one person or a small group.
• Geopolitics: The influence of geography on politics and international relations.

10. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ecrim Imamalu has triggered widespread protests in Turkey, reflecting deep political divisions and concerns about the country's democratic future. The opposition faces significant challenges in maintaining momentum and unity, especially with their leading figure behind bars. The international response has been muted, likely influenced by geopolitical considerations. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for either a further slide towards autocracy or a resurgence of democratic forces. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the future of Turkish politics.