The opposition mayor of Ankara, Mansur Yavaş, has called for an early presidential election in Turkey after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. He made this statement after the preliminary voting for the presidential candidate from the Republican People’s Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi) was completed, according to the national portal “Adyrna,” citing the Cumhuriyet newspaper.
“I believe that today, nearly 20 million people voted voluntarily without being obligated. The time has come for an extraordinary election,” said Mansur Yavaş.
The arrested mayor of Istanbul is the only candidate running from the largest opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP). If he is re-nominated, he is considered the main opponent of Turkey’s current president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In 2017, Turkey became a presidential republic following a referendum. According to the current constitution, the head of state can serve no more than two consecutive terms. In May 2023, Erdoğan was re-elected for a second five-year term.
It should be noted that Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested for financial crimes, although the court dismissed terrorism-related charges.
