Istanbul University rescinds prospective presidential nominees from the university.
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In an unexpected and high-profile move, Istanbul University has rescinded the degree of Ekrem Imamoglu - the opposition mayor of Turkey's sprawling metropolis and a formidable adversary of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The surprising announcement came via the university's online portal, X, on Tuesday, asserting that Imamoglu's degree, along with that of 27 other alumni, had been invalidated due to "obvious errors."
If this decision stands, it may compromise Imamoglu's eligibility for the upcoming presidential race, as per Turkey's constitutional prerequisites for presidential candidates. The announcement ignites speculation about Imamoglu's future presidential aspirations, as he is reportedly a front-runner for the opposition party's (CHP) upcoming elections.
Political Furor and Legal Recourse
Indignant at the university's verdict, Imamoglu branded the decision "illegal." Anticipating such action, judiciary investigations have already been initiated against the Istanbul mayor, and his lawyers are preparing a challenge to the ruling. It's worth noting that the revocation of Imamoglu's degree does not affect his position as mayor of Istanbul.
The politician, an outspoken left-wing nationalist, was re-elected as mayor in 2024. Alongside the CHP’s mayor of Ankara, Mansur Yavas, Imamoglu has been tagged as one of Erdogan's strongest contenders. His bid for the 2028 presidential election was already announced, but a court ruling had previously thwarted his presidential aspirations for 2023.
Imamoglu is no stranger to legal woes, currently facing trial for "insulting and threatening a public official." He is accused of verbally assaulting an Istanbul prosecutor and a court expert. In early 2024, Imamoglu voiced his discontent with "judicial harassment at the highest level" before massive supporters. He maintains his innocence, insisting that he was merely exercising his right to free speech.
Roots of the Debate
Delving deeper, one can trace the origin of this issue to allegations of irregularities in Imamoglu's transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus to Istanbul University in 1990. The university's rationale for revoking his degree is based on a decision by Turkey's higher education council (YOK) from 1991, which deemed the Kyrenia University Imamoglu initially attended unrecognizable. Moreover, a regulation published in Turkey’s official gazette in 1996 underscores the critical role of YOK's recognition in university transfers.
This development has raised concerns over political maneuvering to obstruct Imamoglu's political career, particularly in light of the upcoming presidential elections. The revocation of his degree and his subsequent arrest have fueled further protests and doubts surrounding the sanctity of Turkey's democratic processes.
Sources: ntv.de, afp.com, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- In response to Istanbul University's revocation of his degree, Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a strong contender for the opposition party's presidential elections, has labeled the decision as "illegal" and has initiated legal investigations.
- The university's decision may potentially impact Imamoglu's eligibility for the presidential race, as Turkey's constitutional prerequisites for presidential candidates require a degree for candidacy.
- The controversy over Imamoglu's degree stems from allegations of irregularities in his transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus to Istanbul University in 1990, with political maneuvering being a concern for many, particularly in the lead-up to the upcoming presidential elections.
