Why are there protests in Turkey?

Thousands of Turkish demonstrators thronged the streets of Turkey on Saturday, March 22 to protest the arrest and detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The protests, which spread to numerous cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir, represent a significant challenge to Erdoğan's government.

İmamoğlu's arrest was seen as a politically motivated move to silence opposition and maintain Erdoğan's grip on power. The mayor had intensified his criticism of the Erdoğan administration in the months preceding his detention, resulting in multiple legal actions against him.

The final straw came on March 19, when Turkish authorities detained İmamoğlu on allegations of corruption and providing assistance to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a terrorist organization.

The protests have been fuelled by widespread discontent with the Erdoğan government, including concerns over the economy, democratic backsliding, and human rights.

Demonstrators are demanding officials address basic rights infringements, the high cost of living amid a shattered economy, rising unemployment, and anti-democratic decisions and policies implemented on the government level.

The protests have, however, been met with force by the Turkish authorities, with police using tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse the crowds. Despite the crackdown, demonstrators remain determined to continue their protests, with many viewing the arrest of İmamoğlu as a catalyst for broader change.