Turkey Protests: Public Anger Rises

The anti-government protests in Turkey, some of the largest in years, show no signs of stopping as discontent over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 20-year rule continues to grow. Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Istanbul for a sixth consecutive night following the arrest of the city's mayor last week.

Ekrem İmamoğlu remains in a Turkish prison, charged with corruption—allegations his supporters claim are politically motivated. President Erdogan has accused the opposition of provoking what he calls a "movement of violence," leading to over a thousand arrests as authorities attempt to suppress dissent.

A journalist, who has spent years covering Erdogan’s presidency, has been on the streets of Istanbul speaking to protesters. Many demonstrators express frustration not only with İmamoğlu’s imprisonment but also with the broader political and economic situation in the country.

"Night after night, these demonstrations are growing into the largest street protests Turkey has seen in over a decade. Protesters believe İmamoğlu was jailed simply because he is President Erdogan’s main political rival. This has galvanized many Turks who feel stifled by Erdogan’s authoritarian rule. Protesters say they will not leave the streets until İmamoğlu is released and Erdogan is out of power."

The protests, which initially began as a response to the mayor’s arrest, have now evolved into a larger movement against government policies, economic struggles, and the erosion of democratic freedoms. Demonstrators say they are fighting for justice, fairness, and a future where their voices are heard.

One protester shared their frustration:

"We’re all sick and tired of the oppression in Turkey. We’ve had enough. After what happened to İmamoğlu and other political figures who were jailed, we just can't take it anymore. We are here to defend our rights and protest against the government."

Another protester added:

"Democracy is failing, and that’s bad news for everyone. We just want our country to return to normal so we can live our lives in peace."

When asked what kind of Turkey they wanted, a demonstrator replied:

"Democracy. Pure democracy—nothing more, nothing less. No one wants to be protesting in the streets; we all want to be at home, working, supporting our families. But we are here because we want to bring democracy back."

Another protester emphasized the broader issues at stake:

"At first, we came here because of the mayor’s arrest. But now, people are realizing how bad the situation in the country is—economic crisis, inflation, lack of justice, rising femicides. We have so many problems. This is no longer just about the mayor—it’s about everything wrong with our country."

The protests have drawn people from all walks of life, including students, workers, and opposition supporters. Many say the current administration has made life increasingly difficult, citing rising inflation, unemployment, and restrictions on freedom of speech. Some protestors carried banners demanding economic reforms, while others chanted slogans calling for the resignation of government officials.

A journalist also spoke with a political expert who analyzed the significance of the protests:

"There is a huge surge of frustration. Many Turkish citizens feel this is the last opportunity to stop Turkey from becoming a full dictatorship. For over a decade, Turkey has been a 'hybrid' or 'competitive authoritarian' regime—elections take place, and the opposition can technically win, but the process is neither free nor fair. Erdogan has worked for years to eliminate İmamoğlu as a political threat. However, few expected him to go as far as imprisoning him. This crosses a new line in Turkish politics and has outraged the opposition."

Beyond Turkey, the international community is closely watching the unfolding situation. Several human rights organizations have condemned the crackdown on protesters and called for the immediate release of political prisoners. Some foreign leaders have also voiced concerns over the direction Turkey is heading, warning that silencing opposition figures could further isolate the country on the global stage.

When asked what Erdogan's next move might be, the expert responded:

"He wants these protests to fade away. He hopes young people will get tired, and he’s relying on police repression to intimidate them. Turkey’s next elections aren't until 2028, so he is banking on the energy of the protests not lasting that long. We’ve already seen beatings of protesters and the use of banned tear gas. The government wants to suppress these demonstrations without going so far that it creates viral moments that fuel the movement."

Observers believe Erdogan’s government may attempt to deflect public attention by shifting the narrative. In past instances of civil unrest, authorities have used nationalist rhetoric, portraying protesters as foreign-backed agitators or enemies of the state. There are concerns that similar tactics may be employed again, with officials attempting to label demonstrators as threats to national stability.

Asked if Erdogan could do anything to regain public support, the expert said:

"He could release İmamoğlu from prison. Keeping the country's top opposition figure jailed will only enrage the public, especially given the state of the economy. Ironically, when Erdogan was first elected in 2002, his party stood for democratization, EU integration, and economic competence. Now, his party is the opposite of what it once was. Another bitter irony is that Erdogan himself was once mayor of Istanbul and was imprisoned for political reasons. That experience catapulted him to political stardom. Now, decades later, he is the one jailing his political rivals. This situation could either consolidate full authoritarian rule in Turkey or mark the beginning of Erdogan’s downfall."

Meanwhile, protesters remain determined to continue their demonstrations despite harsh measures taken by security forces. Many insist they will not stop until they see real change in the country. They argue that their movement is about more than just one leader—it is about reclaiming democracy, restoring freedoms, and securing a better future for the next generation.

As tensions rise, it remains to be seen how the government will respond in the coming days. Whether the protests will grow into a larger national movement or be forcefully suppressed is still uncertain. However, one thing is clear: a significant portion of the Turkish population is no longer willing to stay silent.