Brussels, 21 May 2026
Vula Tsetsi and Ciaran Cuffe, Co-Chairs of the European Green Party, said:
‘After last year's imprisonment of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, as well as hundreds of other opposition members, this is part of a broader pattern of political instrumentalisation of the justice system. In a democracy, the government cannot replace elected leaders of opposition parties. Political competition takes place at the ballot box and within democratic institutions - not by dismantling opposition parties.’
‘Erdoğan is pushing the country further toward autocracy. We stand by the people of Turkey and call for an immediate, clear and firm reaction from the European Commission and Council. The EU cannot remain silent while democratic standards are deteriorating before our eyes in a candidate country, but defend fundamental rights and the rule of law.’
From Monday to Wednesday this week, a high-level delegation of the European Green Party was in Turkey and observed the ongoing trial against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and hundreds of other defendants.
