Social Reactions to the Arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu

SUMMARY

The section includes the analysis and findings of the current research conducted through the KONDA Mediated Panel in addition to the KONDA March'25 Barometer research following the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of IBB and CHP's Presidential candidate, and the protests that followed:

• If presidential elections were held this Sunday and only the following two people were candidates, which one would you vote for? (Ekrem İmamoğlu and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan)
• What do you think about the cancellation of Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma?
• What do you think about the corruption allegations against Ekrem İmamoğlu?
• What do you think about Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest?
• What do you think about the protests that have been going on for a few days?
• Did you participate in the presidential candidate primary organized by CHP on Sunday?

Following the revocation of Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma and his subsequent arrest, Erdoğan's vote share declined by 4 points in just two weeks in a two-candidate scenario, while the rate of undecided voters increased. Support for Erdoğan's candidacy is lower among MHP voters compared to AK Party voters. While the majority finds the diploma revocation incorrect, undecided voters now constitute one out of every three individuals. Voters from the CHP, IYI Party, and DEM Party consider this decision highly incorrect; conversely, although the ruling bloc generally supports the decision, it does not possess the same level of consolidation found in the opposition. Regarding corruption allegations, those who believe the claims are false outnumber those who believe they are true, yet the public remains more skeptical on this issue. The distribution of opinion regarding the arrest mirrors that of the diploma revocation. The prevailing view on protests is that demonstrations are justified as long as they do not disrupt public order. The political groups with the highest concentration of unconditional support for protests are the CHP voters and DEM Party voters. Notably, one out of every three people who support the arrest still considers the protests to be justified.