Did Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu just announce his presidential bid?
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu (Collage prepared by Türkiye Today team)
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is an excellent orator.
He is the only politician in Türkiye’s political landscape whose public speaking skills may be compared to that of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The speech Ekrem Imamoglu delivered on Oct. 29, marking Republic Day in Turkiye, however, was different.
Many commentators deem it as the start of his presidential campaign.
Ekrem Imamoglu’s speech mentioned a new era after addressing a cohort of issues that are occupying the country’s agenda.
What did Ekrem Imamoglu say?
“We set out to put an end to this historical deviation by returning to the values Ataturk established, so our Republic can reunite. Together, we will succeed! We stand on the verge of a new historical turning point. They’ve caused enough damage; their time is over, and it’s time to free ourselves from the actors of the old era. We must leave this zigzag period behind and clear away the rubble,” Imamoglu stated.
He targeted the government with fierce rhetoric across various parts of his speech. He also hinted at a new beginning to his political career.
If you are not familiar with Imamoglu’s usual speeches, this seems like a manifest for presidential elections than the remarks delivered by a mayor of a metropolitan city.
Yet one prominent political analyst called the development as ‘premature’ when Türkiye Today asked for comments.
Imamoglu-Yavas rivalry
As Imamoglu delivered a highly critical speech against the government, another presidential hopeful, Ankara mayor Mansur Yavas, was in Türkiye’s presidential palace attending the Republic Day ceremony hosted by Erdogan.
Yavas and Imamoglu, despite both coming from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and being the mayors of the first and second-largest Turkish cities, had an intense debate in September. During the CHP general meeting, Yavas was upset that he had not received the same form of representation as Imamoglu.
No clear indication from CHP leadership
Ekrem Imamoglu has just announced his presidential candidacy with the speech on Oct. 29.
Ismail Saymaz, an opposition journalist with excellent ties to Imamoglu, commented on X
Altan Sancar, an opposition journalist working for Sozcu TV, stated: “Imamoglu’s speech is a well-prepared speech, and he announced his candidacy along with his new paradigm.”
Nevertheless, there is no clear support for his candidacy from CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel.
“If I say we chose Imamoglu, no one would have anything to say, but there’s a reality of Mansur Yavas in terms of his popular support. We’ll seek the best choice and find it through collective wisdom,” Ozel said on Oct. 28.
