Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's diploma revoked amid political tensions

In Turkey, a significant legal and political development occurred on March 19, 2025, when Istanbul University announced the invalidation of the diploma belonging to Ekrem Imamoglu, who is the mayor of Istanbul. This drastic action was said to be due to alleged irregularities related to his educational transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus to Istanbul University’s Faculty of Business Administration in 1990. The university's ruling is perceived widely as motivated by political interests, aiming to disqualify Imamoglu from running in upcoming presidential elections due to educational requirements established under Turkish law. As the iconic mayor of Turkey's largest city, Imamoglu has emerged as a formidable opponent to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been criticized for attempting to undermine opposition figures. Prior to the university's decision, Imamoglu had been expected to secure the nomination of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) in an essential primary election, emphasizing the timing's strategic nature. The ruling effectively bars him from pursuing the presidency, an outcome that observers believe reflects Erdogan's fear of electoral defeat in the future. Imamoglu's response was one of indignation, labeling the university's decision as illegal and a display of pressure from the government. He pledged to appeal the university's ruling, indicating a determination to challenge what he considers a politically motivated action. His remarks on social media highlighted concerns regarding the impartiality of Turkey’s judiciary. The atmosphere around this case also drew reactions from other political figures, including Mansur Yavas, the mayor of Ankara, who criticized the ruling as a blow to democracy and announced his own suspension of presidential ambitions until the situation is resolved. The annulment of Imamoglu’s degree is not an isolated incident; it comes amid a backdrop of ongoing legal challenges against him. In 2022, he was convicted of insulting members of Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council, a conviction that could lead to further political bans. The timing of these legal troubles raises serious questions regarding judicial independence and the extent of political maneuvering exerted by the government over its opponents. Moreover, as Turkey gears up for the presidential elections set to take place in 2028, Imamoglu's status as a key challenger to Erdogan continues to produce tension within the political landscape, signaling a crucial moment as Turkey enters its electoral cycle amid allegations of increasing authoritarianism.