Istanbul Mayor and member of the opposition Republican People's Party, Ekrem Imamoglu, responded to the Turkish President's statement.
According to the Turkish website Demokrathaber, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has called on Erdogan to go to the polls immediately. “The most important medicine for our nation is the ballot box. Our country needs the ballot box. Go to the polls immediately,” Ekrem Imamoglu said in a call to Erdogan.
It should be noted that the Turkish president stated during an event that the elections would dash the dreams of some people for office.
Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, has presented a formidable challenge to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan via social media, advocating for the prompt conduct of elections. In reaction to Erdoğan's recent post on X (formerly Twitter), İmamoğlu referenced the president's statements and responded with a forceful declaration: "The most effective remedy for our nation is the ballot box." Our nation is in urgent need of an electoral process. The individuals are exceptional. "Commence the elections forthwith!"
In his address earlier today, Erdoğan expressed criticism towards opposition figures, asserting, “The most potent solution for those who aspire to power, driven by the fervor of social media and orchestrated applause, is the ballot box.” In the interim, Numan Kurtulmuş, the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), addressed the appeals made by opposition leader Özgür Özel for the convening of an early election. During a breakfast meeting with journalists, Kurtulmuş refuted the notion, asserting, "There are no circumstances that warrant an early election." He contended that election debates are presently not a priority, asserting that the government continues to concentrate on its political objectives. During the meeting, Kurtulmuş also spoke about the catastrophic fire that occurred at a hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya, resulting in the loss of 78 lives. He refuted any allegations of legal or regulatory deficiencies, asserting, “I do not believe that the fire was attributable to a deficiency in regulations or legal loopholes.”
The primary concern in Turkey pertains to the noncompliance with established regulations. I trust that this will be regarded as a significant lesson. If that is not the case, then what will be the alternative? Furthermore, Kurtulmuş expressed disapproval of recent public demonstrations, cautioning against the potential repercussions of street protests. "I consider appeals for demonstrations to be unsuitable." In a democratic system, the appropriate forum for contesting judicial decisions is within the judiciary itself. "The resolution does not reside within the streets." As political tensions escalate, İmamoğlu's explicit challenge to Erdoğan indicates an intensifying discourse regarding the potential for early elections, despite government officials persistently minimizing any imminent likelihood of a vote.
