Ekrem imamoğlu, since his election as mayor of Istanbul, the new Star of Turkish politics. In a DW Interview, the 49-Year-old talks about his political views, and the secret to his success.
Deutsche Welle: The Islamic-conservative AKP of President Erdogan had prior to your election victory, around a quarter of a century, Say in Istanbul. As you have announced your candidacy, there were few who would dare the Opposition to win. What has given in the choice of the rash?
Ekrem imamoğlu: We all have firmly believed that we could convince the Public of the us. We know can win, as we do, because we had our ear to the street. We had to feel a sense of what the people think, need. My personal life has helped me a lot: I was able to collect five years of experience as a district mayor of Beylikdüzü. Beylikdüzü is a district on the European side of Istanbul on the coast of the Marmara sea. With 350.000 inhabitants, although he is Far from a metropolis, however, I what moves people knew. This Knowledge I was able to leave in the election process.
Just a reminder: the first round of The mayoral election in Istanbul on October 31. March 2019 place. They won the election, narrowly, the election was annulled by a decision of the High electoral Board (YSK) on June 23. June 2019 repeated. The second time around 800,000 more people voted for them than for their candidate from the AKP. The turnout was about 84 percent. What has driven voters to the polls?
Ekrem imamoğlu, after the second ballot
I think that there were a number of reasons. The people have really believed in it, that you can change something, if you go to the polls in a democratic process involved. After the cancellation of the first election has also developed a real sense of justice in society. Thirdly, the people wanted to prove attitude and anti-democratic currents on the face. All these reasons have given, in my opinion, the rash. Add to that: of Course, we had the first elections, a Basis on which we could build. Honestly, I would have expected an even better result (laughs).
In a time of increasing polarization you have received as a candidate of the Kemalist CHP votes from different political Camps. To your success, your personal life-share has: are you a religious man, the cares of a secular life style and 1. In may, the day of the work, for the rights of workers goes on the road. For this reason, you will be accused of political opponents, political Instability. “Be yourself,” the only program. How would you define your political affiliations?
Is it not wonderful that I, myself, am my own program? I can provide them with a justification as to why this is so great (laughs): In the evaluation of political realities, I focus first and foremost on the facts. There isn’t anyone that I follow ideologically. When it comes to defending the rights of a worker, do I do that. If I want to live my spirituality, that is my private decision. I think that a large part of the Public that I am a sincere person. I live my life like a majority of the people of this country. Those that try to develop certain ways of life, political programs, be able to an attitude, however, will probably never understand.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is credited with the quote: “Who governs Istanbul, ruled the Turkey.” Your choice for mayor of the largest city in the country, a symbol for a new political beginning for the whole of Turkey?
These elections are certainly an important milestone. However, this may only be the beginning of a long process. To be able to long-term success, we need to be aware of the fact that we need to be as the Opposition, especially at local and municipal level.
His own program: Ekrem imamoğlu
Generally speaking, this success also goes for me on the borders of Turkey. Because the message that stands behind this success, is a message against global populism. A Person who puts himself over the law, at any time and any place a Problem for every country in the world. This is true for every political System. However, I must say that my faith in democracy was in Turkey at any time unbroken.
The election for mayor, you have triggered in the whole of Turkey, a wave of enthusiasm. Many people do not put your expectations to the fact that the office of the mayor is sufficient. Aim, also in the presidential elections in the year 2023 to compete and to win?
Basically, I’m not a Fan of the cult of personality in politics. In addition, the Only thing I currently am interested in Istanbul as a mayor in a successful future. A prosperous Istanbul is also good for a prosperous Turkey.
Ekrem imamoğlu is a Turkish politician of the Republican people’s party (CHP). He was on 23. June, 2019 to the mayor of Istanbul elected and took office on 27. June 2019 to.
The Interview was conducted by Bülent Mumay