Imamoglu to Financial Times: 'This was never just about the Istanbul election'

Re-elected as the Mayor of Istanbul in the March 31 local elections, Imamoglu has caught the attention of the international press. The Financial Times noted, "His re-election sent a strong wave of enthusiasm to Turkey's revitalized opposition and solidified Imamoglu as Erdogan's main opponent."

Imamoglu cautioned in the interview that Erdogan's political life "could be shortened" if he "fails to understand the message of the local elections and continues the same practices," adding, "Everything is in his hands."

He stated that the AKP's nationwide loss of votes in the local elections was "a clear indication that voters reject Erdogan's tightening grip on state institutions."

"This was never just about the Istanbul election," Imamoglu declared, "We've become a regime, a system, where even a director of an institution in Istanbul cannot exercise his authority without political directives. This presents us with a state structure reflecting the will of a single person. We might call this, in quotes, an authoritarian regime. But I believe the election ultimately condemned and rejected this entire method, this practice."

When asked if he was worried about the legal processes against him, Imamoglu responded, "The person who should be afraid is Erdogan."