Ekrem İmamoğlu denounces state overreach and rejects new party claims

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu used a video message to criticize the ruling authorities for treating the state as a tool of power, saying that "the state must align with the people's mind, conscience and will" and warning that the government’s “state mind” agenda undermines justice and democracy.

Later, responding to rumors that CHP figure Özgür Özel might launch a new party, İmamoğlu denied any such plan. He affirmed that the CHP’s congress delegation is prepared and, if the congress were to be obstructed, the party would be “ready politically, spiritually and physically” to continue its struggle, refusing to allow the government to hand the electorate an additional election.

Both statements frame the mayor’s stance as a defense of democratic principles against perceived authoritarian tactics by the ruling party.