https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Turkey#Eligibility
Arrest of Opposition’s (Presumptive) Candidate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrest_of_Ekrem_İmamoğlu
On 19 March 2025, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu from the opposition Republican People’s Party was arrested by Turkish police for alleged corruption, extortion, bribery, money laundering and supporting terrorism, particularly the PKK. His arrest, along with that of more than 100 other people, caused widespread protests and demonstrations.
Since November 2024, AKP actions against opposition representatives heated up. On 18 March 2025, Istanbul University annulled İmamoğlu’s degree, citing irregularities. As Turkey’s presidential candidates must hold an university degree, this would effectively block him from running for president. The decision came just days before the opposition party was set to nominate him.
The Executive Branch’s (ie, the President’s) capacity to felonize anyone is precisely why we can’t keep felons out of public office. Meanwhile, millions of felons who have paid their debt to society, and more, remain unable to vote.
I hate the fact that so-called leftists are still using the felon thing as a talking point. At least it gives you neo-liberals/neo-cons a way to out yourselves I guess.
It’s specifically about what kind of crimes he committed (fraud, putting others in danger) and that he’s continuing to commit crimes without remorse that is the problem, not some long past history.
People can change, but they have to want to change, and Trump does not.
Y’all spend so much time on character assassination, and near-zero time distinguishing “leftist” policies, and therefore candidates, from fascist ones. Its pathetic.
Bush W snorted cocaine. Obama smoked pot. Made zero difference their times in office.
Trump’s non-stop racism like not allowing black people to rent anything in his properties isn’t comparable to drug convictions. His mafia ties throughout his whole life aren’t comparable to petty theft convictions. Him suing contractors to avoid paying isn’t comparable either. A whole damn insurrection is very far from it too.
How do you convince people somebody like Trump is dangerous without pointing to their actions?