 for the next election scheduled for 2028.){kind=link}
İstanbul’s powerful mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has officially submitted his application to run in an election that will determine the presidential candidate of his main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) for the next election scheduled for 2028.
İmamoğlu, a prominent opposition figure seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s strongest political rival, is expected to be a leading contender as the CHP positions itself ahead of the next presidential vote amid growing judicial pressure on the party.
His application was submitted Friday by his lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, to Gül Çiftçi, the CHP’s deputy chair responsible for elections and internal party legal affairs.
Candidates seeking to enter the race had until 5 p.m. Friday to file their applications.
Former CHP lawmaker Dursun Çiçek has also announced his intention to run in the preliminary election slated for March 23. If he secures the required signatures from at least 20 CHP lawmakers, he will compete against İmamoğlu in the race.
No statement has been made regarding the number of signatures İmamoğlu received from the CHP lawmakers, but media reports said it was more than 100. CHP has 133 seats in the parliament.
Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş, who was considered a strong potential candidate, previously announced he would not participate in the preliminary vote but did not rule out running for president independently.
İmamoğlu: ‘A new beginning’
İmamoğlu announced his candidacy on his X account, calling it “the first step in a new beginning.”
Bugün yeni bir başlangıcın ilk adımını atarak, mensubu olmaktan onur duyduğum Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi’nin Cumhurbaşkanı Adayı olmak için resmi müracaatımı yaptım.
İnsanca yaşamayı hak eden, özgürlüğe, adalete, refaha ve birlik olmaya hasret milletimizle bir yolculuğa çıkıyoruz.… pic.twitter.com/Q6qfeaX1Mb
— Ekrem İmamoğlu (@ekrem_imamoglu) February 21, 2025
“We are embarking on a journey with our nation, which deserves a dignified life and longs for freedom, justice, prosperity and unity,” he said.
He vowed to establish a democratic and strong government, a wealthy and peaceful nation and equal and free citizens while advocating for a return to the parliamentary system.
Turkey switched to a presidential system through a 2017 referendum, a move critics say granted Erdoğan sweeping powers with little oversight, weakening the separation of powers.
CHP has pledged to restore the parliamentary system if its candidate wins the presidency.
Judicial pressure on the CHP
The CHP’s decision to hold a preliminary vote among its more than 1.5 million members follows increasing judicial pressure on the party. In recent months, several CHP mayors and officials have faced investigations and arrests, while two mayors were removed from office on charges many say are politically motivated.
CHP leader Özgür Özel announced last week that the party would hold its primary election on March 23.
Concerns remain that announcing a presidential candidate early could prompt Erdoğan to use his influence on the judiciary to sideline the nominee.
İmamoğlu, who is facing multiple investigations, was sentenced in December 2022 to more than two years in prison and barred from politics for allegedly insulting Turkey’s Supreme Election Board (YSK). His appeal is still pending, leaving uncertainty over his legal eligibility by election day.
Some observers suggest Erdoğan could target İmamoğlu — seen as the most likely challenger if the president seeks another term — through legal actions against CHP-run municipalities.
Both İmamoğlu and Yavaş are serving their second terms and enjoy strong public support.