İmamoğlu makes statement on 'candidacy' for 2028: 'Time will tell...'

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu spoke to journalist Scott McLean from CNN International. Emphasizing that 'arrogance and authoritarianism' were behind the AKP's defeat in the March 31 elections, İmamoğlu stated that economic hardships were also a significant factor for citizens. 

"THE REASON FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME..."

İmamoğlu was also asked about the presidential election expected to be held in 2028. Not making a statement regarding his own candidacy status, İmamoğlu said the following about Erdoğan's potential candidacy: "I cannot say anything about whether Erdoğan will be a candidate or not, but he has legal obstacles. Time will tell." 

Evaluating the case in which a political ban is sought against him, Ekrem İmamoğlu stated that the case in question is political. In response to the question, "If it is political, who organized it? Erdoğan?", İmamoğlu replied, "The reason for what has happened to me in the last 2 years is the authoritarian regime. Yes, Erdoğan is of course the head of the regime."

"THE WEST HAS A ONE-SIDED VIEW"

Finally, İmamoğlu also spoke about the massacres Israel has been carrying out in Gaza for approximately 8 months. Describing Hamas's October 7 attack as a 'terrorist attack', İmamoğlu expressed that they are also against the oppression that Palestinians are subjected to today. Criticizing the West for looking at the issue 'one-sidedly', İmamoğlu said:

"Hamas, of course, carried out an attack in Israel that we were very saddened by. And any structure that carries out these terrorist practices and kills people en masse is a terrorist organization in our eyes. Today, unfortunately, the same thing is being applied to innocent Palestinians in Israel. I demand that both issues be evaluated in this context as soon as possible and that Palestinians be prevented from being subjected to such oppression. In general, the West does not see the big picture on this issue; it looks at this issue only through the eyes of one side or the other. I think we look at it more realistically. We interpret Hamas's attack as a bad attack, a very bad situation, and a terrorist attack. But we also represent an understanding that stands against the oppression that Palestinian women and children killed there today are subjected to."

News Source: 12punto