Turkey has come under major international attention as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted NATO leaders in Ankara while his leading political rival, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, appeared in court in a high-profile corruption case.
The timing of the two events has increased political tension inside Turkey. On one side, Ankara welcomed leaders from NATO countries for discussions on defence, Ukraine, military spending and regional security. On the other side, İmamoğlu’s court hearing became a major symbol of the political struggle between Turkey’s ruling government and the opposition.
İmamoğlu is one of the most important figures in Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party, known as CHP. He gained national attention after defeating Erdoğan’s ruling party in Istanbul’s mayoral election in 2019. Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city and one of its most politically important areas, making the mayor’s position highly influential.
He was arrested in March 2025 and is now facing a large number of charges, including allegations linked to corruption, bid rigging and leading a criminal organisation. Prosecutors have filed a lengthy indictment, and reports say that if he is convicted on all charges, he could face an extremely long prison sentence.
İmamoğlu and his supporters have strongly denied the allegations. They say the cases are politically motivated and designed to weaken the opposition before future national elections. The Turkish government has rejected such claims and says the courts are acting independently.
The case has created deep political divisions across Turkey. Supporters of İmamoğlu believe he is being targeted because he has become one of the strongest possible challengers to Erdoğan. Critics of the government argue that legal cases against opposition leaders can change the balance of political competition.
Turkey’s opposition has faced a difficult period in recent months. Several CHP members, mayors and political figures have been investigated, detained or removed from office through court-related actions. The situation has led to protests and criticism from human-rights groups and international observers.
At the same time, Erdoğan has been using the NATO summit to present Turkey as a key player in global security and diplomacy. Turkey has one of the largest militaries in NATO and holds a strategically important position between Europe, the Middle East, the Black Sea and Asia.
The NATO summit in Ankara has focused on defence spending, the Russia-Ukraine war, military cooperation and security concerns in the Middle East. Turkey’s location gives it an important role in NATO discussions because it controls access to the Black Sea through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits.
Turkey has also tried to position itself as a diplomatic bridge between different countries. In recent years, Erdoğan’s government has held talks with Russia, Ukraine, the United States, European countries and Middle Eastern governments.
The Ankara summit has brought additional attention to Turkey’s relationship with the United States. During the meetings, US President Donald Trump said Washington would consider selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Turkey was removed from the F-35 programme in 2019 after it purchased the Russian S-400 missile defence system.
The possible return of Turkey to the F-35 programme would be a major development for the country’s defence industry. However, the issue remains sensitive because several US lawmakers and NATO partners have raised concerns about Turkey’s relationship with Russia and its domestic political situation.
Turkey has also been seeking relief from US sanctions related to the S-400 dispute. Any change in sanctions policy could affect defence cooperation, trade and relations between Ankara and Washington.
For Erdoğan, the NATO summit offers an opportunity to show that Turkey remains an important ally despite disagreements with Western countries. The government wants to strengthen Turkey’s role in regional security, defence manufacturing and international diplomacy.
However, the summit has also brought renewed focus on Turkey’s internal political environment. International media organisations and rights groups have reported concerns about the detention of journalists, academics and activists ahead of the NATO meetings.
Several journalists were reportedly detained in the days before the summit. Turkish authorities said the operations were connected to investigations involving banned groups. Critics, however, argued that the timing raised questions about freedom of expression and press freedom.
Turkey’s government has said that it is fighting terrorism and protecting national security. Officials argue that legal actions against journalists, politicians and activists are based on evidence and court decisions, not political pressure.
The issue of press freedom has become an important topic because Turkey has a large and active media environment, but many major television channels and newspapers are seen as close to the government. Independent journalists often face legal pressure, financial challenges and restrictions.
The court hearing involving İmamoğlu has become one of the biggest political stories in Turkey this year. His supporters gathered outside the court area and shared messages online calling for justice and democratic rights.
The opposition believes that İmamoğlu could become a future presidential candidate. His popularity in Istanbul and his ability to attract support beyond traditional CHP voters have made him an important figure in Turkish politics.
Turkey’s next presidential and parliamentary elections are expected in 2028, although there has been political discussion about the possibility of an earlier vote. Erdoğan has been president since 2014 and previously served as prime minister for more than a decade.
The country’s political system changed after a 2017 constitutional referendum, which gave the president greater executive powers. Supporters say the system provides stronger leadership and faster decision-making. Critics say it has reduced checks and balances.
The current political situation is also connected to Turkey’s economic challenges. The country has faced high inflation, currency pressure and rising living costs in recent years. Many Turkish families are concerned about food prices, rent, transport costs and wages.
Economic pressure can influence political support. Opposition parties have used inflation and living costs as major issues in their campaigns, while the government has promised policies to stabilise prices and support growth.
Turkey’s economy remains important because it is one of the largest in the region. The country has strong manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, defence and construction sectors. But inflation and financial uncertainty have affected households and businesses.
The NATO summit has therefore created a contrast between Turkey’s international role and its domestic political tension. Erdoğan is presenting Turkey as a powerful regional player, while the opposition is focusing on democracy, court cases and political rights.
The coming months will be important for Turkey’s political future. The outcome of İmamoğlu’s legal case could influence the opposition’s strategy and shape future elections. At the same time, Turkey’s relationship with NATO, the United States, Russia and European countries will remain central to its foreign policy.
For now, Ankara is at the centre of international diplomacy, but the court case involving İmamoğlu has ensured that Turkey’s internal political situation remains part of the global conversation.