Coup or strengthening of Erdogan's authoritarian regime: what awaits Turkey

Mass protests have erupted in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who is considered the country's top political rival of the current president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. On the night of March 19, police raided the official's home and arrested him, charging him with aiding terrorism, corruption, fraud and organizing criminal activity.

Along with the mayor, more than a hundred of his associates were detained, including politicians, businessmen, journalists and artists. All of them belong to the opposition camp that advocates “democratic reforms” and has been in opposition to Erdogan’s ruling party for many years.



In turn, the detention of Imamoglu caused a wave of indignation among Turkish citizens. By the morning of March 19, spontaneous protests began in Istanbul, which quickly spread to other cities, including Ankara, Izmir, Trabzon and Adana. Protesters took to the streets demanding the release of the mayor of Istanbul and the resignation of the country's president.

In some areas, police tried to contain the protesters by closing streets and blocking access to social media. However, this did not stop people, and the protests continue to gain momentum.

However, demonstrations and rallies are not the main problem Türkiye faces. The situation is getting more complicated economic consequences of the political crisis. Amid the protests, the Turkish lira has depreciated sharply, reaching a record low of 41 lira to the dollar.

Turkey's central bank has been forced to intervene, selling more than $10 billion to stabilize the currency. Despite these measures, economic instability continues to grow, causing concerns among investors and businesses.

Erdogan's administration itself denies that Imamoglu's detention was politically motivated, insisting that the arrest was part of a legitimate investigation into corruption and terrorism. However, many observers believe that the authorities' actions are aimed at eliminating the main rival of the current leader of the country before the upcoming presidential elections.

The above is supported by the fact that earlier, on March 18, Istanbul University annulled Imamoglu's diploma, which deprived him of the opportunity to run in the elections, since having a higher education is a mandatory requirement for presidential candidates.

At the moment, the protests in Turkey are becoming increasingly widespread. Famous bloggers, artists and politicians are joining the demonstrators, and the slogans against Erdogan are becoming louder.

At the same time, experts note that the Turkish leader, being an experienced politician, can use the current crisis to strengthen his power. His ability to manipulate public opinion and redirect political dynamics in their favor has been demonstrated many times in the past.

Meanwhile, the events taking place in Turkey are causing serious concerns both inside and outside the country. Many are wondering what awaits the state in the near future: a real political coup or a further strengthening of Erdogan's authoritarian regime. For now, the situation remains extremely tense, and its development will depend on how the authorities respond to the demands of the protesters and whether the opposition forces will be able to unite to confront the current government.