Main opposition CHP heads to presidential candidate selection amid Imamoglu detainment

After the detainment of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Wednesday, the chairman of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), Ozgur Ozel, stated that the party will still hold a primary to select its upcoming candidate for president on Sunday.

Ozel announced that on Sunday, March 23, the party would hold a primary election in all 81 provinces to determine their candidate for president in the upcoming 2028 Turkish presidential elections. However, he also declared that another box would be placed alongside these voting boxes, calling it a “solidarity box.”

Imamoglu’s arrest comes in the context of investigations into corruption and alleged terrorism links, with nearly 100 individuals having arrest warrants issued.

In his comments, Ozel further elaborated on his discussion with Imamoglu, recounting that despite the storm of rumors surrounding him, Imamoglu had asked, “No matter where I am, those voting boxes will be set up, right?” Ozel replied to him, “I will be at the head of those boxes. We will be where we need to be with our organizations.”

Solidarity actions, calls for unity

Ozel emphasized that despite the ongoing political pressures, the CHP was committed to supporting Imamoglu and will continue pushing forward.

“We are not going anywhere. We will accept solidarity visits here. We are at Sarachane, where we belong,” he stated, referring to the central location of the mayor’s office. He further expressed confidence that despite the attempts to cancel Imamoglu’s diploma, the collective effort of the party would continue unabated.

Protests in Turkish Parliament

Simultaneously, CHP members in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) staged a protest to condemn the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu. All CHP members of parliament present in the assembly walked to the podium to join in the protest.

The protests escalated as CHP members chanted slogans, and Kurdish-oriented Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) members joined in. In response, ruling AK Party members protested by banging on the desks.

The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Sirri Sureyya Onder of DEM Party, was forced to suspend the session due to the chaotic atmosphere. As AK Party members exited the hall, the CHP continued their protest, which ultimately led to the closure of the session.