Istanbul Mayor Joins New Opposition Party Threatening Erdogan's Presidency
Istanbul Mayor Akrem Imam Oghlu, currently detained, announced his membership in a newly formed opposition party created after a court order dismissed the leadership of the Republican People's Party.
Party formation and details
Opposition leader Ozgur Ozal, together with 90 deputies, launched the new party last month to regroup opposition forces and challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The move follows a court decision that removed Ozal from the CHP presidency, reinstating former faction leader Kamil Klichdar Oghlu.
Imam Oghlu, also head of the Turkish Municipalities Union, is now the most prominent detained opposition figure, facing major corruption and espionage charges since his arrest on March 19, 2025, in Mermara Prison.
Electoral context
A poll by the Turkish research institute "Yun" surveyed 3,000 citizens across 51 provinces in August, indicating a rising chance that Erdogan could lose in a second-round presidential vote against two leading opposition candidates.
This political shift may impact the upcoming election dynamics, with growing opposition support and a potential erosion of the ruling party’s traditional base.
Turkey’s political arena is expected to become more competitive as the election draws near, possibly reshaping power balances nationwide.
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