By Gülfem Dodur ‍

‍

The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu sparked widespread protests not only in Turkey but also in major German cities. Mass demonstrations are planned across Germany this Sunday. German leaders sharply criticized the arrest, and concerns about the regression of democracy in Turkey are growing.

İmamoğlu, 54, was jailed after his university diploma was invalidated, allegedly as a result of an irregular transfer decision by Istanbul University. The decision raises serious legal and political issues, as the diploma was recognized for almost three decades and had enabled him to hold public offices, including two terms as mayor of Istanbul.

According to the Turkish Constitution, a university degree is required to run for president. İmamoğlu first studied business administration at the American University of Girne in Cyprus before moving to Istanbul University in the 1990s. His sudden arrest has also caused a stir because President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has had to ask himself questions about his own academic qualifications for a long time.

‍

Opposition calls for mass mobilization

In his latest speech, opposition leader Özgür Özel from the Republican People's Party (CHP) refrained from his usual conciliatory tone and called citizens to the streets to protest. The trade unions have also announced their support for the planned demonstrations.

However, governors in Istanbul have imposed strict security measures to curtail demonstrations. Roads leading to Saraçhane, where the protesters wanted to gather, were blocked. Public transportation in key areas was suspended, and riot police were deployed at major intersections.

CHP chief Özel also announced an extraordinary congressional resolution for April 6 to prevent the appointment of a trustee, as they had allegedly received inside information about the risk.

‍

Sharp criticism from Germany and the EU

International condemnation of the arrest was swift. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the arrest as a “very, very bad sign” for Turkish democracy.

Sebastian Fischer, spokesperson for the Federal Foreign Office, stated in Berlin: “The recent arrests cast a deeply worrying light on compliance with the basic principles of democracy and the rule of law in Turkey.” European mayors — including Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner — are also expressing their solidarity with İmamoğlu and sharing messages of support on social media while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the situation as “extremely worrying.”

‍

Ahead of mass protests across Germany

The CHP wanted to announce its presidential candidate on Sunday, which would only elect its members. But in response to developments, CHP organizations and pro-democratic groups are mobilizing for large-scale protests in major German cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich and Frankfurt.

The organizers expect thousands of participants, and symbolic election events will be open to everyone to underline the importance of democratic rights and fair elections.

‍