Tensions Between Ankara and Brussels Resurface… European Commission Criticizes Turkey
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Ankara to respect democratic values and the rights of elected officials, following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu by Turkish authorities. Von der Leyen emphasized the importance of adhering to democratic standards to maintain Turkey-EU relations during a press conference in Brussels on March 19.
According to Turkish media, Turkish police arrested İmamoğlu, the main rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in upcoming elections, amid an investigation into a corruption case. This comes after Istanbul University decided to revoke his university degree, sparking widespread controversy in political circles, with opponents viewing it as an attempt to undermine his political future before the elections.
These developments coincide with increasing tensions between Turkey and the European Union, especially in areas of human rights, press freedoms, and judicial independence. The EU believes any democratic backslide in Turkey could affect its long-stalled EU accession talks. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) denies accusations of politicizing the judiciary, asserting that the cases against İmamoğlu are legal in nature and not politically motivated.
