Erdogan, Imamoglu, and the Reversed History: A 26-Year-Old Imprisonment That Changed Turkey

The arrest of Istanbul’s mayor on corruption charges shocked Turkey and sparked international reactions as the main political rival was sent to prison. Against this backdrop, few may know that in 1999, when Recep Tayyip Erdogan was mayor of Istanbul, he spent four months in jail, which not only didn’t hinder his political career but acted as a catalyst for his popularity, eventually leading him to lead Turkey. Now, Ekrem Imamoglu, one of Turkey’s most popular politicians and Erdogan’s top rival, faces a perilous political future with the annulment of his degree, blocking his candidacy for president. The authorities’ move comes just days before his expected nomination by the Republican People’s Party (CHP) to challenge Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey for over 20 years. Many see this as an attempt by Erdogan to block Imamoglu’s candidacy. The irony is that their lives could be described as parallel. Both faced political persecution, which only strengthened them as rising leaders. Erdogan used his imprisonment to rise as the leader of the AKP and become prime minister from 2003 to 2014 and then president since 2014. Similarly, Imamoglu, whose popularity has soared recently, might be the only one capable of unseating Erdogan in 2028. Their journeys highlight how, in Turkey, the persecution of a politician often makes them stronger.