Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, calling for change in Turkey’s leadership and condemning state-affiliated media for what he described as “lies and defamation.”
In a post on social media platform X, İmamoğlu extended his greetings to the nation, invoking themes of justice, compassion, and solidarity during the holy month of Ramadan. He expressed hope for an end to what he termed “oppression” against workers, retirees, and businesses, vowing that “better days are ahead.”
The opposition figure, widely seen as a potential challenger in upcoming elections, attended a public gathering in Istanbul’s Saraçhane district, where he said he was moved by the voices of “hundreds of thousands” singing the song Yiğidim Aslanım.
İmamoğlu also took aim at Turkey’s public broadcaster TRT and pro-government media outlets, accusing them of spreading falsehoods and engaging in character assassination. “For the first time in my life, I watched these propaganda channels at length. It was a disgrace—lies, slander, attacks on honor and dignity,” he wrote.
Vowing legal action, he declared, “I swear, I will make them pay for this, and I will pursue my rights as long as I live.”
Targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan without naming him directly, İmamoğlu accused Turkey’s leader of prioritizing power over governance. “There is only one person responsible for this atmosphere,” he wrote, referring to Erdoğan’s rule from Ankara. “The people will send him away at the ballot box.”
The Istanbul mayor concluded his post with a call for unity, inviting the public to an iftar gathering with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel.
Erdoğan Accuses Opposition of Undermining National Economy
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday accused opposition leaders of attempting to damage Turkey’s economy, responding to recent remarks by main opposition CHP leader Özgür Özel.
In a post on X, Erdoğan criticized what he described as a double standard in boycott discussions, saying, “For months, they did not even utter the word ‘boycott’ for Zionist-backed companies. Now, they talk about boycotting our national brands.”
Erdoğan questioned the opposition’s motives, asking, “Can a leader of the main opposition party say, ‘I will harm the Turkish economy’?” He accused Özel of acting irrationally, claiming that “his ambitions and fears have clouded his judgment.”
The president further attacked Özel’s approach to foreign policy, suggesting that the CHP leader’s criticism of Turkey in international media was disgraceful. “Is it a CHP tradition to complain about Turkey to the foreign press? Do you feel no shame in tarnishing your own country’s reputation?”
Erdoğan concluded by questioning Özel’s leadership, stating, “Would anyone trust a politician who makes such reckless statements? How could someone like this bring any benefit—not just to the country, but even to his own party?”
