İmamoğlu Calls for Early Elections Amid Political and Judicial Pressure

Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has denounced what he describes as an ongoing political operation and judicial harassment, calling for early elections as the only solution. Ahead of his testimony at Çağlayan Courthouse tomorrow, İmamoğlu addressed the public via social media, reassuring supporters: "Let no one worry. The nation is great. I will continue to fight for the children of this sacred nation in every field. There is no salvation alone—either all together or none of us!" During his live broadcast, he firmly stated that Turkey can no longer be entrusted to the current administration: "The only way out of this is early elections. The end of this road leads to peaceful governance. We have embarked on this journey, and for us, there is no turning back." İmamoğlu emphasized that his party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), is determined to halt what he called the country's worsening trajectory. He highlighted CHP leader Özgür Özel’s recent initiative to hold a democratic primary for selecting the party’s presidential candidate. "Exactly 1.6 million members of the Republican People’s Party will choose our party’s candidate through a primary vote. This unprecedented democratic practice is a revolutionary step for our future. I fully support this decision. The primary election, a bold exercise in democracy, will not only unite our party and its supporters but also bring together the democratic opposition across the country. This will be a process in which no one loses—regardless of the outcome, we will all remain as passionate and determined as on the first day."

"Millions Who Think Like Me Will Stand Trial"

İmamoğlu also spoke about his upcoming court appearance, stating that the investigation against him is part of a broader effort to silence dissent. "Tomorrow morning, I will be at Çağlayan Courthouse. I will testify in this politically motivated investigation. I am being prosecuted for exposing the expert witness. I am being prosecuted because I demand an independent judiciary. But tomorrow, it will not just be me on trial—it will be tens of millions of citizens who share my beliefs." He reaffirmed his stance against what he sees as politically motivated legal pressure, vowing that justice will ultimately prevail: "They are continuing their political operation and judicial harassment. But the ballot box will come, and everyone will get what they deserve."