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00:00Well, for more on the latest developments, then, Aisha Yurekle joins us on the program
00:04today.
00:05She's a senior policy adviser in EU affairs, civil society representative and a non-resident
00:10fellow at the Istanbul Institute.
00:12Thank you very much for joining us.
00:14Can you tell us more about some of the cases that—the case that Imamoglu appeared in
00:18today and how it compares to some of the other cases in terms of political consequences for
00:23his career?
00:24Okay, certainly. First and foremost, Ekrem Ä°mamoÄŸlu is a key figure of opposition.
00:33He is a beacon of hope and widely seen as a symbol for change and praised for his widespread
00:40popularity.
00:41Especially his victory in 2019 has been a significant milestone given Istanbul's prominence as Turkey's
00:50largest city and economic hub. And there are many ongoing cases against Ekrem Ä°mamoÄŸlu.
00:59Today, this morning, the one that has been postponed, as you have just reported, is actually related
01:12to the Istanbul's chief prosecutor, Akın Gürlek, and the insulting language that he used against
01:25him and also the indictments to exert pressure on the judiciary using his role as a mayor. And certainly,
01:40these are important issues. And obviously, there are also other ongoing cases which involve fraud and
01:56others bribe and unlawfully recording personal data, rigging tender, et cetera. But all these issues
02:07actually remain allegations. And at least the opposition claims that these allegations have a very thin
02:18background and supporting documents. And unfortunately, the situation is widely viewed domestically and also by
02:29international observers, as highly politically motivated against the most prominent opposition figure in Turkey, who has a real
02:42opportunity, actually, to run as a presidential candidate against President ErdoÄŸan.
02:48So, Aisha, just to—
02:49Aisha, just to—
02:50Aisha, just to—
02:51Sorry to interrupt you, but I mean, you said that these are just accusations. I mean, there is—there are trials that are going to take place. So, do you think that it's a stretch to say,
03:01based on the different cases that Ä°mamoÄŸlu is facing, that Turkey is sliding into authoritarianism?
03:07It is difficult to say that, but obviously, there are signs, intimidating signs. And also, what is called that a competitive
03:23authoritarianism that is currently the case for Turkey. A lot of political scientists also claim and give us hints about that. But,
03:36the government is saying certainly that it's a delicate matter. And certainly, Turkey should uphold its international
03:49obligations when it comes to democracy and rule of law. And, but these are also—this is a developing story and ongoing cases,
03:59actually, legal processes that are ongoing. So, from a European point of view, I believe, and from an analyst point of view, it's also important to underline that certainly the opposition has very strong arguments. And thousands or even millions of people in Turkey went to streets and these last three weeks have been very turbulent for Turkey's society.
04:28Especially younger generations are against authoritarianism or against tilting towards autocracy. They are very vocal. They are on streets. They are protesting. These are all important indications. But we should also not forget that as the Europeans, at least, we need to strike a balance. It's a delicate matter. It's an ongoing matter. And the EU has
04:58this wait-and-see approach also about the ongoing situation. Now, speaking of the EU's wait-and-see approach, Aisha, I mean, how do you think that the evolution of Erdogan's rule has impacted Turkey's EU accession process? Do you think that Erdogan—that it's still a priority even for him to join the European Union?
05:17At least in verbal terms, yes. He and also his political party confirms and states and restates, actually, on multiple occasions, that the EU full membership remains as a strategic target, a strategic goal for Turkey.
05:40But saying this is one thing and doing other things is another thing. And it's very important also to see the situation, to view the situation.
05:52I am based in Brussels. And I speak also a lot with EU officials here and try to understand their point of view. And what they want to see is not just words, but also implementation on the ground in cases like, for example, in this particular case with ImamoÄŸlu, where freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, rule of law, democracy standards are upheld.
06:20Because they are European values. And they are non-negotiable values. And there is no pick and choose when it comes to full membership.
06:32And maybe in that respect, I can also quote President Macron, because he has made a very balanced, actually, remark on the ongoing situation.
06:47And he said, Turkey needs Europe and Europe needs Turkey. There is this mutuality. But at the same time, Europe needs a Turkey that upholds democracy and honors its commitments.
07:01And not just a strategic partner, but also a democratic one. And I think this is an important argument. And Turkish authorities must be aware of this, that there are high level of doubts when it comes to democracy and rule of law in Turkey.
07:21And certainly the opposition also makes a lot of effort to explain this to the international counterparts.
07:32I'm so sorry to cut you off again, but unfortunately, that's all we have time for. Thank you very much for your time and coming on the show today.
07:40You're welcome.