Following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, his spouse Dilek has taken prominence at evening demonstrations, advocating for her husband and the continuity of the Turkish opposition movement.

Has Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan misjudged the situation?

Following the detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu—the mayor of Istanbul, presidential nominee for the main opposition party CHP, and a political adversary to Erdoğan—thousands of citizens in Istanbul and across Turkey have been taking to the streets.

Among those present is Imamoglu’s wife, Dilek. During her addresses at rallies, she confronts President Erdogan directly. She asserts, “He will be defeated; you will face loss! The unfair treatment faced by Ekram resonates with everyone’s sense of justice.”

For now, however, it seems like her husband may have been defeated. He has had his position as Mayor of Istanbul taken away from him and has been
under police detention since Sunday
Could his wife, who is highly regarded in political spheres, step into his role within the Turkish opposition?

Against the glass ceiling

Dilek Imamoglu, who was born in 1974 in the Turkish coastal city of Trabzon, encountered her future spouse in Istanbul. They got married, with her partner being notably charming.
Ekrem Imamoglu
In 1995, when he was 21 years old. They have three children together.

Their love for politics continues to influence their family life even now. In an interview with Cumhuriyet TV, her spouse stated, “Dilek is the pillar of our home.” He further explained, “She isn’t just my wife; she’s also my strongest ally.”

Dilek Imamoglu participates in advocating for women’s rights and combating discrimination against minorities through her volunteer efforts and academic pursuits.

Her master’s thesis, completed during her studies at the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Kadir Has University in Istanbul, delved into the phenomenon known as the “glass ceiling effect.” In this work, she explored the unseen obstacles hindering women and minority groups from attaining leadership roles.

Since her husband won the local elections in Istanbul in 2019, Imamoglu has taken steps to promote the rights of individuals with disabilities. As an illustration, she used a wheelchair for a full day throughout Istanbul to underscore the daily challenges faced by wheelchair users in the city.

He should compete against Erdogan.

Women and younger individuals, in particular, view Imamoglu’s appearance on the political scene as a sign of bravery and steadfast democracy. Numerous women who support her believe that she has the potential to carry forward her spouse’s political heritage.

“Some of the women who heard her speak suggested she should run as a candidate against Erdogan,” they remarked.

Who were the protesters gathered at Sarayburnu Square in Istanbul?

She possesses great strength. We consistently support her. Both she and Ekrem Imamoglu receive our backing.

The next parliamentary and
presidential elections
are not expected until 2028. But there are good reasons for both the government and the opposition to call for early elections.

If the election timeline was moved up, Erdogan would have the opportunity to contest again. However, should the polls take place in 2028, he wouldn’t be eligible under Turkey’s constitutional guidelines. Changing this provision would necessitate amending the constitution, a move that would demand a supermajority vote of at least two-thirds in the Turkish Parliament.

Given the present crisis, the opposition party CHP could gain an advantage by advancing the elections. Introducing a new candidate would increase the strain on Erdogan.

Thunderous applause

Numerous Turkish citizens have been protesting at Sarayhane Square for several days, calling for the liberation of Ekrem Imamoglu. They cling tightly to every word from his spouse. Each time Dilek Imamoglu steps forward to speak, the audience erupts in resounding cheers.

Her appeal has grown because she voices support for her husband while also tackling social problems.

A woman from the audience shared with LIFEHACK, “‘Dilek Imamoglu’s unwavering position following her spouse’s detention serves as a beacon of strength for every woman and fuels the spirit of defiance. This highlights her resilience against oppression.’”

“Even before Imamoglu was detained, people were already speculating about possible substitute presidential contenders,” another local went on. “Should the CHP consider an alternate candidate, it ought to be Dilek Imamoglu.”

The tale was initially released in German.

Author: Erkan Arikan