Erdogan likely to win another term if Imamoglu removed from elections, expert says

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested this week on suspicion of corruption, has been the “most viable candidate against President Erdogan”, said Guney Yildiz, visiting fellow at the London School of Economics, adding that Imamoglu is also the opposition’s “strongest candidate” with a wide appeal “from conservatives to left-wingers to liberals”. Imamoglu’s wide-ranging political appeal is however likely prevent him from galvanising enough support, Yildiz said, adding that the current protests sweeping Turkey are likely to diminish. “The potential removal of Imamoglu from the election race, I think, opens the road for Erdogan for another term in 2028”, he said.