The young people stand up against Erdoan

In 2019, Imamolus' victory at Istanbuls Mayoral Race brought an astonishing blow to the ruling party, breaking from decades of control over the largest and most influential city. Despite the government's efforts to cancel the elections and force a revival, Imamolu has again won this time by an even greater margin. His popularity continued to grow, making him a formidable figure of opposition.

He clearly had the figures. In the turkey, three largest citiesistanbul, Ankara and Izmirths are all opposition, not from the Erdoans party. These cities represent almost half of the 85 million and the most literate and culturally advanced turkeys, an Armenian and Armenian expert teacher told The Media Line.

Sivazliyan sees a clear diagram in the actions of Erdoans. It was a coup organized against Imamolu to prevent it from presenting itself in the next presidential elections, he said. First of all, they revoked his academic diploma, which is an essential requirement in Türkiye to come to the presidency, then they imprisoned him. All of this was part of a strategy to eliminate it as a political threat.

The streets of Turkey have become the scene of one of the greatest protest movements in recent years. What started as indignation at the arrest of Imamolu has evolved towards a broader demand for political changes.

Journalists report hundreds of thousands of people on the streets, but I estimate millions, said Sivazliyan. However, this movement is not completely unified. Different factions, in particular the minorities, have different objectives of the Erdoan chpbut is the common enemy.

The demonstrations drew an improbable mixture of demonstrators: young layers, Kurdish activists, leftist groups and even nationalist factions once aligned with Erdoan. Among them are members of the Wolves Gray, an ultra -nationalist group which has traditionally supported the president.

During the demonstrations, some demonstrators had the wolves sign with their hands, and the fact that they participate in the demonstrations in the first place is clearly significant and something new, noted Sivazliyan. They are a crucial element of the parliamentary alliance of Erdoans. If he loses their support, he loses his absolute majority.

For many, these demonstrations represent more than just opposition to Erdoanthey aims to recover their future. Tarik, a Kurdish photographer documenting the troubles, described the mood in Istanbuls Sarachane Square. For young people, it looks like a scene in a story of two future Citiesa moving away, he said. The older generation is just exhausted and angry. The dominant color here is the red of the Turkish flag. There is a general fight against hostility towards refugees and to Kurds. It is as if modern politics had been reduced to pure nationalism.

The Erdoans administration responded with its usual game book: arrests, censorship and repression. Nearly 2,000 people have been detained, some local journalists covering the demonstrations. The BBC correspondent, Mark Lowen, was expelled following the allegations of the state he lacked from the press accreditation. However, the movement persists, even if protest leaders, journalists and student activists are detained.

Most people arrested are university students, including some my classmates, said Tarik. Many of them had no political history before that. But now they have crossed a threshold of fear.

An activist based in Istanbul, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the intimidation tactics of governments had not dissuaded the demonstrators. Millions of people participate in the streets, others online, said the activist. It is not a specific political party. It is a question of defending our rights and our future.

Despite increasing disorders, Erdoan remains a leading leader to dislodge. The geopolitical importance of turkeys also gives it a lever effect on the world scene.

Once considered the man who led the economy of turkeys, Erdoan is now accused of prioritizing power over democracy. Critics say that his rule has gone from the reformist beginnings to increasing authoritarianism, with a repression against dissent which has only fired public anger.

The Erdoans control state institutions and the media make it unlikely that it is forced to go out by demonstrations alone. But cracks are starting to show, and its crisis management can determine its long -term survival.

Looking at the current demonstrations, Sivazliyan thinks that any change will probably come from its own Erdoans circle. If there is a radical change in leadership, it will be due to the health of Erdoans, he said. His successor would probably be a person close to Himmaye that the Minister of Foreign Affairs could take over, but demonstrations alone are not enough to push him completely.

But for those who in the streets, hope remains. I have always believed this, said Tarik. People are free.

The anonymous activist was even more certain. Without a doubt, these protests will end the rule of Erdoans, she said. There is no go back now.