Skip to player
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
Search
Connect
Watch fullscreen
Like
Comments
Bookmark
Share
Add to Playlist
Report
'Not just a strategic partner: Europe needs a Turkey that upholds democracy, honors its commitments'
FRANCE 24 English
Follow
4/11/2025
Visit our website:
http://www.france24.com
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/France24_en
Category
🗞
News
Transcript
Display full video transcript
00:00
Well, for more on the latest developments, then, Ayesha Yurekla joins us on the program today.
00:04
She's a senior policy advisor in EU affairs, civil society representative, and a non-resident
00:09
fellow at the Istanbul Institute. Thank you very much for joining us today, Ayesha. So,
00:15
Imamoglu is, of course, facing several court cases today alone. Can you just tell us more
00:20
about them and how they compare to the other cases in terms of some of the potential consequences
00:24
for his political career?
00:30
I think you have the wrong image.
00:34
Can you hear us now?
00:37
I can hear you, but I guess you have the wrong image of somebody else on the screen.
00:43
As long as you can hear us now, that's great. Can you tell us?
00:47
Yes, perfect.
00:48
Great. Can you tell us more about some of the cases that—the case that Imamoglu appeared in today
00:53
and how it compares to some of the other cases in terms of political consequences for his career?
00:58
Okay, certainly. First and foremost, Ekrem İmamoğlu is a key figure of opposition.
01:06
He is a beacon of hope and widely seen as a symbol for change and praised for his widespread popularity.
01:15
Especially his victory in 2019 has been a significant milestone, given Istanbul's prominence as
01:23
Turkey's largest city, an economic hub. And there are many ongoing cases against Ekrem İmamoğlu.
01:32
Today, this morning, the one that has been postponed, as you have just reported, is actually related
01:42
to the Istanbul's chief prosecutor, Akın Gürlek, and the insulting language that he used against him,
01:59
and also the indictments to exert pressure on the judiciary, using his role as a mayor.
02:10
And certainly, these are important issues. And obviously, there are also other ongoing cases
02:26
which involve fraud and others bribe and unlawfully recording personal data, rigging tender, etc.
02:38
But all these issues actually remain allegations. And at least the opposition claims that these allegations
02:50
have a very thin background and supporting documents. And unfortunately, the situation is widely viewed
03:01
domestically and also by international observers as highly politically motivated against the most prominent
03:10
opposition figure in Turkey, who has a real opportunity, actually, to run as a presidential candidate
03:20
against President Erdoğan, who has been running the country.
03:23
Sorry to interrupt you, but I mean, you said that these are just accusations. I mean, there are trials
03:31
that are going to take place. So, do you think that it's a stretch to say, based on the different
03:36
cases that İmamoğlu is facing, that Turkey is sliding into authoritarianism?
03:41
It is difficult to say that. But obviously, there are signs, intimidating signs, and also what is called
03:56
that a competitive authoritarianism that is currently the case for Turkey. A lot of political scientists also
04:06
are trying to claim and give us hints about that. But the government is saying certainly that it's a
04:17
delicate matter. And certainly, Turkey should uphold its international obligations when it comes to democracy
04:26
and rule of law. And, but these are also, this is a developing story and ongoing cases, actually, legal processes
04:35
that are ongoing. So, from a European point of view, I believe, and from an analyst point of view, it's also
04:43
important to underline that certainly the opposition has very strong arguments. And thousands or even millions
04:53
of people in Turkey went to streets and these last three weeks have been very turbulent for Turkish society.
05:04
Especially younger generations are against authoritarianism or against tilting towards autocracy.
05:12
They are very vocal. They are on streets. They are protesting. These are all important indications.
05:18
But we should also not forget that as the Europeans, at least, we need to strike a balance. It's a delicate
05:28
matter. It's an ongoing matter. And the EU has this wait-and-see approach also about the ongoing situation.
05:36
Now, speaking of the EU's wait-and-see approach, Aisha, I mean, how do you think that the evolution of
05:42
Erdogan's rule has impacted Turkey's EU accession process? Do you think that Erdogan,
05:48
that it's still a priority even for him to join the European Union?
05:55
At least in verbal terms, yes, he and also his political party confirms and states and restates
06:05
actually on multiple occasions that the EU full membership remains as a strategic target,
06:12
a strategic goal for Turkey. But saying this is one thing and doing other things is another thing.
06:21
And it's very important also to see the situation, to view the situation.
06:27
I am based in Brussels and I speak also a lot with EU officials here and try to understand their point of
06:35
view. And what they want to see is not just words, but also implementation on the ground in cases like,
06:43
for example, in this particular case with Imamoglu, where freedom of assembly, freedom of expression,
06:51
rule of law, democracy standards are upheld because they are European values and
06:57
they are non-negotiable values. And there is no pick and choose when it comes to full membership.
07:06
And maybe in that respect, I can also quote President Macron, because he has made a very balanced,
07:16
actually, remark on the ongoing situation. And he said, Turkey needs Europe and Europe needs Turkey.
07:27
There is this mutuality, but at the same time, Europe needs a Turkey that upholds democracy
07:34
and honors its commitments. And not just a strategic partner, but also a democratic one.
07:41
And I think this is an important argument. And Turkish authorities must be aware of this,
07:49
that there are high level of doubts when it comes to democracy and rule of law in Turkey.
07:57
And certainly the opposition also makes a lot of effort to explain this to the international counterparts.
08:06
AMY GOODMAN I'm so sorry to cut you off again, but unfortunately,
08:11
that's all we have time for. Thank you very much for your time and coming on the show today.
08:15
AMY GOODMAN You're welcome.
Recommended
1:10
|
Up next
John F. Kennedy Assassination 16mm Original - Driver shooting at Kennedy!
Jelani Trent
9/7/2015
7:16
Turkey's march towards 'pure autocracy': 'Very serious' cases against Imamoglu 'political in nature'
FRANCE 24 English
4/11/2025
8:09
'It's an important time, for all of Europe, not to close their eyes to what's happening in Turkey'
FRANCE 24 English
3/26/2025
9:59
'Erdogan trying to play a bigger role internationally but he's not reliable, nor is he predictable'
FRANCE 24 English
3/20/2025
8:10
CHP has been able to 'unite right wing and left wing opposition parties in solidarity' with Imamoglu
FRANCE 24 English
5/1/2025
6:39
Amnesty International vows to keep up Russia right work despite ban
FRANCE 24 English
5/20/2025
6:33
Ukraine says Russia is 'the main barrier to peace', shows no signs of de-escalation on battlefield
FRANCE 24 English
5/15/2025
6:36
Erdogan could use Imamoglu detention to extend the term limit to presidency, analyst says
FRANCE 24 English
3/19/2025
3:22
Turkey elections: OSCE observers give press conference "two parliamentarians were denied entry"
FRANCE 24 English
6/25/2018
7:40
'Historic' peace initiative: PKK to disband, seeks democratic, cultural, educational Kurdish rights
FRANCE 24 English
5/13/2025
11:42
Does Erdogan seek to 'drive wedge' between opposition and Kurds by 'winning over' Kurdish support?
FRANCE 24 English
5/12/2025
8:15
'HTS wants one thing: Stability in Syria, it does not want to fight the Kurds'
FRANCE 24 English
12/10/2024
6:59
A tale of 'two far-right leaders': Meloni and Trump's relationship with democracy in the 'grey zone'
FRANCE 24 English
4/18/2025
3:14
Thousands Protest In Istanbul Over Turkish President Erdogan's Main Rival- Mayor Imamoglu’s Arrest
Oneindia
3/20/2025
13:02
Syria's quest for 'national unity': On paper, principles of diversity & inclusivity 'almost perfect'
FRANCE 24 English
2/14/2025
13:36
Turkey's CHP trying to find model of 'sustainable resistance' against Erdogan, analyst says
FRANCE 24 English
3/31/2025
6:14
'How can Europe help with the emergence of a legitimate political order in Syria that is inclusive?'
FRANCE 24 English
1/6/2025
2:19
Turkey elections: who really is Recep Tayyip Erdogan?
FRANCE 24 English
6/24/2018
6:19
Far right normalised: Populist parties becoming stronger with strong headwind by mainstream parties
FRANCE 24 English
2/3/2025
0:44
Anti-Erdogan Protesters Amass in Istanbul After Referendum Results
StoryfulNews
4/16/2017
4:34
NATO's Nordic expansion: Turkish objections an 'opportunity for Erdogan' to air NATO 'grievances'
FRANCE 24 English
5/18/2022
0:52
Protest outside Turkey court that sentences 24 to life as 'coup ringleaders'
Agence France-Presse
6/21/2019
1:10
Erdoğan accuses Turkey's opposition of wrecking economy as protests continue
euronews (in English)
3/26/2025
1:44
Turkey's resurgent opposition thumps Erdogan in pivotal local elections
FRANCE 24 English
4/1/2024
0:15
MR1
Go Go Video
1/9/2022