Who is Ekrem Imamoglu?
Ekrem Imamoglu has been serving as the Mayor of Istanbul since 2019. Born in 1970 in Trabzon, Turkey, he graduated from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Business Administration in 1994. Before entering politics, he worked in his family’s construction business and held leadership positions in several sports clubs, including Trabzonspor and Beylikdüzüspor.
Despite coming from a conservative background, Imamoglu adopted social democratic values during his university years. His father, Hasan Imamoglu, was a founding member of the Motherland Party’s (ANAP) Trabzon branch, yet Imamoglu chose to align with the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in 2008.
Political Rise and Istanbul Mayoralty
Imamoglu’s political career began in Beylikdüzü, where he ran as CHP’s candidate in the 2009 municipal elections. Though he was not initially selected as the party’s candidate, he later became district chairman and successfully won the Beylikdüzü mayoral race in 2014, defeating the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).
His popularity soared, leading CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to select him as the party’s candidate for the 2019 Istanbul mayoral elections. Imamoglu defeated AK Party’s candidate, former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, by a narrow margin of 13,729 votes. However, the Supreme Election Council (YSK) annulled the results, citing irregularities. In the rerun election on June 23, 2019, Imamoglu secured a landslide victory, winning by over 800,000 votes.
Controversies and Legal Challenges
Imamoglu’s tenure has not been without challenges. In 2020, his decision to take a ski vacation immediately after the Elazığ earthquake drew criticism. Additionally, he faced multiple investigations, including a case in 2021 accusing him of insulting election officials. Over time, the number of legal proceedings against him exceeded ten.
Most recently, on March 19, 2025, Imamoglu was detained in connection with separate investigations into corruption and terrorism-related charges. The opposition has condemned his arrest, alleging it is a political move to block his presidential candidacy. However, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç has insisted that the investigation is being conducted independently and fairly.
2023 Presidential Elections and CHP Leadership Dispute
Ekrem Imamoglu was a key figure in the 2023 presidential elections. As one of the most popular opposition leaders, he was frequently mentioned as a potential candidate. However, the CHP-led opposition coalition ultimately nominated Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Following Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s victory in the second round of elections on May 28, 2023, Ekrem Imamoglu called for change within CHP. He openly supported party leadership reforms, which led to Özgür Özel replacing Kılıçdaroğlu as CHP leader in November 2023.
2024 Local Elections and Future Prospects
In the 2024 municipal elections, Ekrem Imamoglu won re-election with 51.1% of the vote, while his opponent, AK Party’s Murat Kurum, secured 39.6%. This marked a historic moment for CHP, as the party became Turkey’s leading political force for the first time in nearly five decades. Unlike his first term, CHP also gained a majority in the Istanbul City Council, strengthening Ekrem Imamoglu’s influence.
Following his victory, speculation grew about his presidential ambitions. By late 2024, discussions within CHP centered on his potential candidacy for the 2028 presidential elections. In early 2025, he prepared to enter CHP’s primary elections as the sole candidate after Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş withdrew. However, on March 18, 2025—just five days before the primary—his university degree was annulled, raising further controversy.
What Lies Ahead for Ekrem Imamoglu?
Imamoglu’s political journey has been marked by both triumphs and legal battles. His ability to appeal to different voter groups, including conservatives, Kurds, and secularists, has positioned him as a strong contender for Turkey’s future leadership. Whether he overcomes the latest legal challenges or not, his influence in Turkish politics remains significant, making him one of the most closely watched figures in the country.
