Protests Against İmamoğlu's Arrest Persist Despite Political and Social Divisions

Turkey witnesses its largest demonstrations in over a decade, while opposition unity and government crackdowns shape the movement's uncertain future.

Over two million people have participated in nationwide protests against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest on corruption and terrorism charges, widely perceived as politically motivated.
The CHP, Turkey's main opposition party, has formally backed İmamoğlu as its 2028 presidential candidate but remains hesitant to allow protests to operate independently of its control.
The Kurdish left has largely abstained from the demonstrations, focusing on peace process developments and citing historical tensions with the CHP's nationalist stance.
The Erdoğan government dismisses the protests as a 'smear campaign' and has intensified crackdowns, with over 2,000 arrests reported and restrictions on media coverage implemented.
Economic grievances, including high inflation and youth unemployment, continue to fuel public dissent, with students playing a key role in sustaining the protests.