Overview

• The detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19, 2025, has led to ongoing nationwide protests demanding justice, democracy, and economic reform.
• Over 2,000 protesters have been arrested, with reports of police repression and the government labeling demonstrators as terrorists to delegitimize the movement.
• The protests have highlighted Turkey's worsening economic crisis, with the Turkish lira depreciating further and inflation straining citizens' livelihoods.
• Opposition leaders have called for an economic boycott of businesses linked to the government starting April 2, as a less risky form of protest to sustain momentum.
• Despite heavy crackdowns and Ramadan-related holidays slowing large-scale demonstrations, opposition leaders reaffirm Imamoglu as their 2028 presidential candidate.