A United Call for Turkish Democracy

About the Initiative

We are European Union citizens committed to defending democratic values. If the Turkish government refuses to step down after losing an election, we call on the EU to act—firmly and decisively.

This initiative urges the European Union to prepare a sanctions framework that activates when democratic transitions are obstructed in candidate countries like Turkey. It highlights recent patterns of democratic backsliding, including:

Politically motivated prosecutions and bans against opposition leaders, including Ekrem İmamoğlu.
The dismissal of elected mayors and replacement with unelected trustees.
The erosion of judicial independence and press freedom.
The violent suppression of peaceful protests through excessive policing.

Why This Matters

🗳️ Democracy at Risk

Protect democratic institutions before they collapse entirely.

🌍 The EU's Role

The European Union must stand by its core principles.

🤝 Solidarity

Defend the Turkish people’s right to freely elect their leaders.

📢 Civic Action

Peaceful, determined advocacy can drive real change.

Democracy in Turkey is on Life Support

In 2025, Turkey saw a sharp increase in political repression. Key developments included:

Arrests of Mayors and Politicians: At least 17 CHP mayors, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, were arrested on questionable corruption charges.
Journalist Crackdown: Nearly 2,000 people were detained during protests, including reporters like Yasin Akgül and Bülent Kılıç.
Opposition Leaders Targeted: CHP leader Özgür Özel faced legal threats, while Ümit Özdağ of the Victory Party was jailed for 148 days and sentenced to over two years.
Media Blackouts: RTÜK suspended opposition channels like Sözcü TV and Halk TV. Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp were blocked for over two days.
Trustee Takeovers: Elected officials—including from CHP—were replaced with government-appointed trustees under the guise of anti-corruption efforts.

These actions represent a systemic campaign to eliminate dissent and dismantle democratic institutions in Turkey.

Why Should You Care?

President Erdoğan is leading Turkey down a path eerily similar to Putin’s Russia—centralizing power, crushing dissent, and hollowing out democracy.

Both regimes hold elections, but the playing field is rigged. Opposition figures are intimidated, jailed, or silenced. State media dominates. Judicial systems serve the ruling elite. Civil society is under siege.

Turkey's descent into authoritarianism has global implications. First, Erdoğan’s Syrian policy fueled a devastating refugee crisis. Then came Putin’s war in Ukraine, shaking global stability.

Authoritarianism is not confined to borders. It threatens peace, democracy, and human rights everywhere. If left unchecked, the crises will keep multiplying.

This is not just Turkey’s fight. It’s a matter of global concern—and your voice matters.

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