Sun Apr 06 17:04:49 UTC 2025: ## Opposition Leader Calls for Early Turkish Elections Amid Mass Protests
**Ankara, Turkey** – Amidst the largest anti-government protests in Turkey in over a decade, sparked by the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, opposition leader Ozgur Ozel has called on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to hold early elections. In a speech following his re-election as head of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Ozel demanded the presidential election, currently scheduled for 2028, be held “at the latest in November” of this year.
Ozel’s re-election, which took place during an extraordinary convention brought forward to preempt a potential government takeover of the party, was met with overwhelming support. He secured the leadership position with the backing of 1,171 out of 1,300 delegates. The convention, originally planned for November, was brought forward amidst growing unrest following Imamoglu’s arrest.
The CHP leader described the recent protests as “the greatest motion of censure in history” and vowed continued demonstrations across the country. He named Imamoglu as the CHP’s presidential candidate for the anticipated early election.
Imamoglu, considered a major political rival to Erdogan, was arrested on charges of insulting public officials. While Erdogan denies political motivation behind the arrest, accusing Imamoglu of being a tool of foreign interests, the CHP and its supporters view the charges as politically motivated.
The government’s response to the protests has been forceful, with authorities detaining nearly 2,000 people. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc defended the judiciary’s independence, denying any influence from Erdogan in Imamoglu’s arrest. However, Erdogan himself has labeled the protests a “movement of violence,” citing injuries to over 100 police officers. The CHP has countered by highlighting the widespread public support for the demonstrations. The coming weeks will see whether Erdogan responds to the mounting pressure to call for early elections.
First Piper 