Protests across Turkey, sparked by the imprisonment of Istanbul’s opposition mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, have intensified with calls for a one-day commercial boycott. Student groups spearheading the movement urged businesses to close on Wednesday, drawing support from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Turkey’s main opposition party.
İmamoğlu, widely seen as the strongest challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 22-year rule, was arrested last month on corruption and terrorism charges. Critics allege the case is politically motivated, while the government maintains the judiciary is independent.
CHP leader Özgür Özel publicly endorsed the boycott, urging citizens to leverage their "power that comes from consumption" in a social media post. He also called for avoiding companies he claims support the government, particularly media outlets that allegedly ignored coverage of mass protests demanding İmamoğlu’s release and an end to democratic erosion.
Government Condemns Boycott as "Economic Sabotage"
The boycott call triggered a swift backlash from authorities. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya labeled it "sabotage" and a "coup attempt against our economy," while Trade Minister Ömer Bolat warned affected businesses could seek compensation from boycott organizers. Bolat later posted images of himself shopping, declaring it a "day of protecting the national economy."
Turkey’s broadcasting watchdog, RTÜK, threatened action against media outlets promoting the boycott, following recent penalties against opposition channels. The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office also launched a criminal probe into the boycott campaign.
İmamoğlu, detained since March 23, claimed in a prison statement that European officials were severing ties with Ankara. The European Commission withdrew from the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, while EU Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi canceled a meeting with Turkey’s foreign minister.
In Istanbul and Ankara, many cafés and shops stood unusually empty, with some business owners supporting the protest.
Turkey’s economy, already strained by soaring inflation and a prolonged cost-of-living crisis, faces further uncertainty. Annual inflation reached 39% in February, exacerbating public discontent.
Meanwhile, lawyers for detained protesters alleged abuse in custody, including beatings, deprivation of food and water, and restricted legal access. The Istanbul-based Lawyer’s Voice Initiative reported injuries among students, including broken ribs and nerve damage.
The boycott has deepened political divisions, with business leaders like Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, head of Turkey’s Union of Chambers, warning against dragging companies into partisan disputes. Separately, an events firm canceled concerts by international artists after its owner faced backlash for calling protesters "traitors."
As tensions rise, the government and opposition remain locked in a battle over Turkey’s political and economic future.