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Can İmamoğlu prevent the government from seizing the IMM by resigning?

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With the appointment of a trustee to Tele1, it is clearly evident that the government is preparing for a similar intervention in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) in the coming period.

The target of this investigation, conducted through accusations such as terrorism and espionage, is Istanbul under the administration of Ekrem İmamoğlu.

It is not realistic to expect lawful behavior or justice from the government. If a trustee has been appointed to the channel managed by journalist Merdan Yanardağ using the same accusations, it has now become possible for the municipality to be seized using a similar method.

Following today's hearing, the possibility of İmamoğlu being removed from office and a trustee being appointed in his place cannot be ignored. The seriousness of this situation must be recognized, and strategic steps to protect the will of the voters must be implemented rapidly.

In such a scenario, the option of İmamoğlu resigning to allow for the election of a new mayor from within the municipal council could be evaluated. Of course, I have serious doubts about whether the current leadership of the Republican People's Party (CHP) will show the will to implement such a strategy. However, this move should be seen as an important political reflex to prevent the appointment of a trustee to Istanbul.

The seizure of a municipality won by the will of the voters by the government is not only a democratic usurpation; it will also pave the way for the transfer of public resources back to reactionary structures.

At the point we have reached today, the government is acting with a mindset ready to try every path to maintain its power. It is using the judicial mechanism effectively in line with its interests, and its next steps can be easily predicted.

For this reason, in the struggle against this mindset, public awareness is as vital as transparency. Moves that will clearly reveal the government's intentions must be made; the usurpation of the voters' will must not be allowed.

A possible resignation by İmamoğlu could be the most strategic step to prevent this usurpation.