In a development that could dramatically alter Turkey's political landscape, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's presidential ambitions face a serious challenge as pro-government sources report his university diploma may soon be invalidated.
According to prominent pro-government journalist Abdulkadir Selvi, Istanbul University is expected to complete a report today that could lead to the cancellation of Imamoglu's diploma, effectively disqualifying him from running for president of Turkey.
Critical Findings in University Investigation
The investigation centers around allegations that Imamoglu's lateral transfer from American University of Kyrenia to Istanbul University violated educational regulations. The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) has already issued a report claiming that American University of Kyrenia was not recognized by YÖK at the time Imamoglu made his transfer.
"Istanbul University's investigation has been completed, and the prepared report will be sent to the Faculty of Business Administration either tomorrow or Monday at the latest for necessary action," Selvi wrote in his column. According to Selvi, the university report concludes that "Imamoglu's lateral transfer was contrary to regulations."
Political Implications
If Imamoglu's diploma is invalidated, it would deal a devastating blow to his presidential aspirations, as Turkish law requires presidential candidates to have completed higher education.
The timing of this investigation is particularly significant as Imamoglu has recently announced his candidacy for the presidency. As the mayor of Istanbul, Imamoglu has emerged as one of the most formidable political rivals to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His decisive victory in Istanbul's mayoral race, winning with 4.1 million votes, established him as a prominent figure in Turkey's opposition.
Pattern of Legal Challenges
This isn't the first legal challenge Imamoglu has faced. He has been entangled in multiple lawsuits related to his tenure as Istanbul mayor, which many see as efforts to remove him from politics. In a previous case, Imamoglu was convicted and faced a ban on holding elected political office, which human rights organizations described as "an unjustified and politically calculated assault on Turkey's political opposition".
Rising Political Star
Despite these challenges, Imamoglu has rapidly risen from an opposition underdog to become one of the most visible faces of opposition to President Erdogan. Since winning Istanbul's mayorship, he has been widely viewed as a potential next president of Turkey analysts note the irony that Imamoglu's political trajectory somewhat mirrors Erdogan's own path to power, as the Turkish president also served as Istanbul's mayor in the 1990s before ascending to national leadership.
What Comes Next
The Faculty of Business Administration at Istanbul University now holds the authority to make a final decision on Imamoglu's diploma. According to pro-government sources, the faculty is expected to follow the university's recommendations and invalidate the diploma.
As Turkey's opposition watches these developments with concern, the investigation represents yet another chapter in the ongoing political tension between Erdogan's administration and his most promising challengers. For Imamoglu and his supporters, the next few days could determine whether his presidential ambitions will survive this latest challenge.