The Turkish government’s crackdown on dissent has reached a new level with the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the opposition CHP’s (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi-Republican People’s Party) high-profile Mayor of Istanbul and a potential presidential candidate for 2028, posing a direct challenge to Erdoğan’s rule. This escalation underscores the country’s rapid descent into authoritarian rule. Despite winning multiple elections against Erdoğan-backed candidates, İmamoğlu now faces legal barriers designed to remove him from the political arena.
His own words capture the severity of the moment: “The move—four days before my party, the Republican People’s Party, was to hold a primary for the next presidential race—was dramatic but hardly unexpected.” İmamoğlu’s detention was accompanied by a sweeping operation against opposition figures, including senior municipal administrators and business leaders.
On March 28, The New York Times published İmamoğlu’s letter from prison, detailing the political repression in Türkiye. His account highlights how Erdoğan’s government has systematically dismantled democratic institutions and silenced dissent through legal harassment, arrests, and media control.
The West’s measured response
Despite Türkiye’s crackdown on opposition figures, Western governments have largely refrained from applying serious pressure. The U.S. expressed mere “concerns,” and European leaders limited their reactions to diplomatic statements. There have been no substantial sanctions or punitive measures similar to those imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.
İmamoğlu pointedly highlighted this hypocrisy: “Central governments around the world? Their silence is deafening. Washington merely expressed ‘concerns regarding recent arrests and protests’ in Türkiye. With few exceptions, European leaders have failed to offer a strong response.” The inconsistency in Western reactions is stark, particularly when compared to the aggressive stance against Russia’s human rights violations.
Erdoğan, Putin, and the limits of condemnation
While Türkiye’s crackdown intensifies, Western leaders continue to denounce Putin’s authoritarianism. Sanctions, asset freezes, and diplomatic isolation have been the tools of choice against Moscow. The EU and U.S. frame Russia as a pariah state, citing its assault on democracy and human rights violations.
However, Türkiye’s crackdown has not elicited the same level of response, despite the clear parallels. Erdoğan has eroded judicial independence, curbed press freedoms, and manipulated elections—actions strikingly similar to those attributed to Putin. The difference? The West still needs Türkiye, while isolating Russia serves broader geopolitical interests.
İmamoğlu himself warned of the consequences of inaction: “What is happening in Türkiye and many other parts of the world demonstrates that democracy, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms cannot survive in silence, nor be sacrificed for diplomatic convenience disguised as ‘realpolitik.’” This statement resonates far beyond Türkiye, exposing the double standards applied by Western powers.
Netanyahu and the double standard on democracy
A similar pattern emerges in the West’s approach to Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed judicial reforms that weaken the independence of Israel’s courts, triggering mass protests. His government’s handling of Gaza has also drawn international criticism. Yet, despite these concerns, Western support for Israel remains unwavering.
The EU and U.S. frame their backing of Israel as an essential pillar of regional stability. Sanctions or diplomatic isolation are never on the table, regardless of the actions taken by Netanyahu’s government. Türkiye’s crackdown, like Netanyahu’s judicial reforms, is treated as an internal issue—unless it directly affects Western interests.
Erdoğan’s gamble and the risks ahead
By arresting İmamoğlu and suppressing dissent, Erdoğan is betting on his ability to eliminate political threats before the next election cycle. However, mass protests following his crackdown indicate growing domestic resistance. The CHP has rallied significant public support, and Türkiye’s economic struggles could further erode Erdoğan’s standing.
The West’s passive stance risks emboldening Erdoğan. Without meaningful consequences, he can continue consolidating power, much like Putin and Netanyahu. “The survival of democracy in Türkiye is crucial not just for its people but also for the future of democracy worldwide,” İmamoğlu wrote. “The age of the unchecked strongmen demands that those who believe in democracy be just as vocal, forceful and unrelenting as their opponents.”
Türkiye’s crackdown is a test of the West’s commitment to democratic principles. So far, the response suggests those principles are flexible—depending on who violates them.