In a significant political development, Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner has called off his upcoming trip to İstanbul, initially scheduled for early April, due to the arrest of İstanbul’s popular mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu. Wegner expressed grave concern regarding İmamoğlu’s imprisonment, highlighting the necessity of rule of law and independent judiciary in democracy.
İmamoğlu was apprehended during a police operation on March 19 and subsequently arrested on corruption charges, alongside two other district mayors. This event has ignited widespread protests across Turkey, with many perceiving it as an attempt to quash political rivals. Wegner noted, “Solidarity with Ekrem İmamoğlu” as the reason for his cancellation.
The Berlin mayor, representing the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), affirmed that democracy hinges on fair political competition and free elections. The Republican People’s Party (CHP), İmamoğlu’s main opposition party, condemned the arrest as a coup attempt aimed at eliminating a key challenger to President Erdoğan’s grasp on power.
Germany has voiced its disapproval of İmamoğlu’s arrest, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesperson declaring the situation “totally unacceptable” and calling for a prompt clarification of events. When German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier last visited Turkey, he notably met with İmamoğlu, fuelling speculation of İmamoğlu’s potential rise as a significant political leader in the future.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner has cancelled his trip to İstanbul due to Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest on corruption charges, which has prompted nationwide protests. Wegner stressed the importance of rule of law and expressed solidarity with İmamoğlu. Germany has condemned the arrest, viewing it as an unacceptable attack on democracy.
The arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu has not only raised alarms within Turkey but also sparked international concern, prompting Berlin’s mayor to cancel his trip in a gesture of solidarity. As protests unfold and the political landscape shifts, the implications for Turkish democracy and international relations remain significant. All eyes are on how these developments will influence the future political arena.
Original Source: www.turkishminute.com
