Turkey Roundup: Over 1,000 protesters detained, financial rout, X blocks new website
Erdoğan optimistic on US-Türkiye ties after 'cordial' phone call
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed optimism about Türkiye-U.S. relations in a March 24 speech, highlighting a “cordial” phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. He said they discussed removing obstacles to reaching a $100 billion trade goal. According to Daily News, during their March 16 call, Erdoğan emphasised strengthening ties through solidarity and a results-driven, sincere approach. On Europe, Erdoğan stressed Türkiye’s strategic role in the continent’s security and economic stability, stating recent debates have shown that European security is not possible without Türkiye’s involvement across diplomacy, trade, and social affairs.
Turkey detains over 1,000 in anti-gov't protests since Istanbul mayor's arrest
President Erdoğan said Monday that protests over Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s jailing had turned into a “movement of violence,” blaming the opposition CHP for injuries to police and property damage. İmamoğlu’s arrest last week sparked Turkey’s largest protests in over a decade. He was jailed Sunday pending trial on corruption charges, which he denies. Reuters reports that the CHP and supporters call the charges politically motivated, a claim the government rejects. Despite bans on gatherings, protests continued for a fifth night, with CHP leader Özgür Özel urging nationwide demonstrations. Erdoğan urged the CHP to stop “provoking” citizens.
Turkey scrambles to stop financial rout
Turkey’s financial authorities rushed on Monday to contain market turmoil following the weekend arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key rival to President Erdoğan, triggering a political crisis. The lira dropped nearly 2% against the dollar, and government bonds saw heavy selling. However, by midday, emergency actions by the Central Bank and stock exchange regulator appeared to stabilise markets temporarily, Politico reports. The currency had hit a new low last week after İmamoğlu’s arrest on corruption charges, sparking nationwide protests that continued Sunday after a court ordered his detention pending trial.
X blocks access to popular independent news website in Turkey over protest coverage
Social media platform X has blocked access to Bianet, a leading independent news outlet in Turkey, following a government request over its coverage of protests sparked by the arrest of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Bianet’s Turkish and English accounts are now inaccessible in Turkey, joining numerous other blocked accounts amid a crackdown on opposition coverage, the outlet reported. Despite the ban, Bianet’s accounts remain publicly visible outside Turkey. As reported by Turkish Minute, the platform had been actively reporting on protests that have spread nationwide, with over 1,100 people detained so far. Journalist Amberin Zaman criticized X for "caving again" to government pressure.
Who is Ekrem Imamoglu, the jailed mayor challenging Turkey’s Erdogan
Jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has become a key figure in Turkish politics, with nearly 15 million people backing him in a symbolic presidential primary organised by the opposition CHP for the 2028 election. Known for his inclusive leadership, İmamoğlu is seen as a unifying alternative to President Erdoğan’s divisive style. Indian Express shares that he gained national prominence in 2019 by defeating Erdoğan’s AKP in Istanbul’s mayoral race—winning again by a larger margin after the first result was annulled—ending 25 years of conservative rule in the city.
