Berlin’s Mayor, Kai Wegner, has put a halt to his planned visit to Istanbul early in April, a decision stemming from the recent arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the city’s beloved mayor. In a statement, he expressed his alarm over the situation, stating, “I view the developments in Turkey, the imprisonment and suspension of the freely elected mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, with great concern.”
İmamoğlu’s troubling journey began with a police operation that led to his arrest on corruption charges, alongside two other district mayors. Following these events, nationwide protests erupted across Turkey, marking a significant political crisis. Wegner, representing the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), emphasised the necessity of upholding the rule of law, highlighting that democratic values, including free and fair elections, must be preserved.
In demonstrating his support for İmamoğlu, the Berlin mayor declared, “Given the ongoing detention of my counterpart, I will cancel my trip planned for early April. Solidarity with Ekrem İmamoğlu.” It is noteworthy that Istanbul is one of Berlin’s many sister cities, and Wegner had hosted İmamoğlu in Berlin last June.
İmamoğlu’s political party, the main opposition group CHP, has characterised his detention as a coup against their potential presidential candidate, aimed at undermining President Erdoğan’s most formidable rival. Germany has voiced its concerns regarding İmamoğlu’s arrest, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesman stating, “The arrest and suspension of the mayor of Istanbul is totally unacceptable. This must be clarified very quickly and transparently.”
This political tension also recalls a visit last April by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, where he met İmamoğlu prior to meeting Erdoğan, fueling speculation that İmamoğlu represents a new political chapter for Turkey.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner cancels his Istanbul visit due to the arrest of mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on corruption charges. Wegner expressed his concerns over democratic principles while voicing solidarity with İmamoğlu. The event has triggered nationwide protests, with Germany condemning the arrest, viewing it as an attack on democracy in Turkey. İmamoğlu’s opposition party regards the arrest as politically motivated, aimed at undermining Erdoğan’s rival.
The arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu has stirred significant political unrest, prompting Berlin’s Mayor Kai Wegner to cancel his upcoming visit to Istanbul in solidarity with the imprisoned mayor. Both Wegner and German officials have voiced concerns about the implications of this arrest for democracy in Turkey. The incident has broader ramifications, highlighting the tension between İmamoğlu and President Erdoğan, as well as the perceptions of İmamoğlu as a potential future leader of Turkey.
Original Source: www.turkishminute.com
