Published: March 19, 2025, 04:34 PM
President Tayyip Erdogan (on the left) and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu (on the right)
Istanbul University has canceled the degree of Ekrem Imamoglu, a key political rival of President Tayyip Erdogan. This decision, announced on Tuesday, means Imamoglu cannot run for president, as a university degree is required for candidacy.
Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a leader in the opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP), called the decision illegal and vowed to fight it in court. However, he expressed doubts about getting a fair ruling, accusing the government of pressuring the judiciary.
“This is not just about me anymore—it’s about the entire nation,” Imamoglu said, promising not to give up.
The Turkish government denies interfering in court decisions, but critics see this as part of a larger crackdown on opposition leaders. Imamoglu has faced multiple legal cases, and the government has already replaced several opposition-held municipal positions with its own appointees.
According to Istanbul University, 38 students, including Imamoglu, were admitted to an English-language management program in 1990 through irregular means. The university has now canceled the degrees of 28 of those students, citing “clear errors” in regulations.
Imamoglu’s lawyer dismissed the decision, saying the university does not have the authority to annul degrees.
This move is widely seen as an attempt to stop Imamoglu from challenging Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey for over 20 years. The opposition party CHP is still planning to nominate Imamoglu as their presidential candidate on March 23. Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, another opposition leader, also condemned the decision and promised legal action.
Observers believe this is another step in Turkey’s growing political repression, as authorities use every possible method to weaken the opposition.
