European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier urged Turkey on Monday to adhere to democratic principles as a candidate for EU membership and a Council of Europe member. His remarks came after the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opposition figure, which triggered political unrest.
"We want Turkey to stay connected to Europe, but this requires a firm commitment to democratic standards," Mercier told reporters, according to AFP.
Earlier that day, Imamoglu secured his party's (Republican People's Party’s, CHP) nomination for Turkey's 2028 presidential race. His detention on March 19 over corruption allegations sparked widespread demonstrations, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissing the backlash as political theatrics. Since the protests began, authorities have detained approximately 1,133 people, according to the interior minister. Demonstrations have taken place in multiple cities, leading to confrontations between protesters and security forces.
