The "pan riot" and the fall of the lyre. What do the media say about the situation in Turkey?

The struggle between the government and the opposition in Turkey has attracted the attention of the foreign press. The detention of the main rival of the Turkish president in the elections, Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu, led to mass demonstrations on Turkish streets. What the foreign media think about Imamoglu's detention and why it is causing concern in the West is in the Izvestia digest.

Tengrinews: after Imamoglu's detention, a "pot riot" began in Turkey

Despite the ban on demonstrations, residents of Turkish cities took to the streets in support of the opposition leader, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Demonstrations began at Istanbul University, where students clashed with law enforcement agencies. The police used force against the protesters, but the students were able to break through the barricades.

To prevent possible mass riots in Istanbul, traffic and the operation of some metro lines have been reduced. Access to several social networks has been restricted in the country. Against the background of the arrests and restrictions, the Turkish lira fell and the Istanbul Stock Exchange index declined. Earlier, the Turkish Prosecutor General's Office sent a request to Istanbul University in order to verify the authenticity of Imamoglu's diploma.

The Wall Street Journal: The detention of Istanbul mayor will have far-reaching consequences

On Wednesday, Turkish authorities raided the country's main opposition party, detaining President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main rival and dozens of other people on charges of criminal offenses and terrorism. This step may help extend the twenty years of the head of state's tenure in power.

Erdogan ruled Turkey first as prime minister, and since 2003 as president. Under his leadership, Turkey has experienced significant economic growth, but in recent years these successes have been undermined by his influence on the central bank and the Ministry of Finance. According to the Constitution, after the end of the term in 2028, a politician will be able to run only in early elections or after amendments to the basic law. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who has gained a reputation as one of the most effective leaders of the Turkish opposition, is considered the most likely candidate for the presidency of Turkey.

"Coup attempt": Erdogan's main rival was detained in Istanbul

Against the background of the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, the lira exchange rate has reached a historic low, young people are coming out to protest

Cumhuriyet: The first mass reaction to the detention of the mayor of Istanbul came from Izmir

After the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and more than a hundred other people, members of the Republican People's Party (CHP) gathered in front of the provincial administration building in Izmir. The heads of Izmir's districts also took part in the rally in support of Imamoglu and in protest against the decision to detain him. The CHP was in the lead in the last local elections and, according to the chairman of the Izmir branch of the party, Shenol Aslanoglu, has become a "nightmare" for the government.

The chairman of the Izmir branch of the CHP stated that the government's measures suspend the fundamental principles of the republic and contribute to the destruction of multiparty democracy. He promised that the party would continue to fight, and called on citizens to come to the polls to demonstrate their determination.

Reuters: the opposition called the situation a "coup against our next president"

Erdogan's main rival, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, was detained on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist group. The actions against the popular two-term mayor marked the end of months of repression against opposition figures across the country, who have been criticized as a politicized attempt to harm their electoral prospects and stifle dissent.

Imamoglu, 54, who beat Erdogan in some opinion polls, was expected to become the official presidential candidate of the Republican People's Party (CHP) within a few days. Now two investigations are underway against him, including charges of leading a criminal organization, bribery and fraud at tenders. Thousands of people gathered in Istanbul's Sarachane district on Wednesday evening, while CHP leader Özgür Özel addressed the crowd outside the city hall, saying Erdogan had chosen Imamoglu out of fear of losing to him in the elections.

Out of the access zone: Turkey did not allow Israel to participate in NATO exercises

In West Jerusalem, Ankara was suspected of using the veto as a political tool.

Financial Times: Erdogan's actions against his opponent plunge Turkey into crisis

For several months, it seemed that events at home and abroad were developing in favor of Turkish President Erdogan. But the dark side of Erdogan's rule smoldered in the background, while the authorities persecuted his political opponents for several months, and the leader was outraged by the "problem of the opposition, which poisons democracy."

Investors who cautiously returned to the markets after Erdogan abandoned the unorthodox monetary policy that plunged the country into crisis were shocked: the lira fell to a record low. Capital Economics said Imamoglu's arrest raised concerns about a "broader reform agenda," and suggested that "political rather than economic considerations may be beginning to prevail in President Erdogan's thinking."

Hurriyet: Imamoglu's detention speaks to a new political reality

First, Ekrem Imamoglu's diploma was revoked, and then he was detained on charges of leading a criminal organization in two separate investigations. The cancellation of Imamoglu's diploma and the decision to detain him will have both legal and political consequences.

If Ekrem Imomoglu cannot become a presidential candidate, who will be nominated from the CHP? Imamoglu's team began to propose a model based on the example of Russian President Vladimir Putin and former leader Dmitry Medvedev. "Let Ozgur Ozel from the CHP become the presidential candidate, and Ekrem Imomoglu become the chairman of the CHP." If Imamoglu is arrested, will there be any problems with his party presidency? Will he appoint a trustee of Istanbul? Ultimately, the decision will be made by the nation, the greatest arbiter in democracies.