‘Enough is enough’: Tractors block roads in Erdogan stronghold as opposition demands release of jailed mayor and calls for early elections

ISTANBUL, April 20 — Around 100 tractors blocked roads in central Turkey yesterday as their drivers took part in the latest anti-government protest organised by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

The demonstration in Yozgat, a conservative farming town in central Turkey, marked one month since the arrest of Istanbul’s popular opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu — widely seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s most formidable political rival.

His detention triggered Turkey’s most significant wave of street protests in a decade and led to a major crackdown, with nearly 2,000 people detained.

While the large-scale demonstrations have since diminished, unrest continues, with ongoing protests by students and weekly rallies led by CHP leader Ozgur Ozel across the country.

Ozel, wearing a flat cap, led the Yozgat protest by driving a tractor at the front of a convoy, joining thousands of flag-waving demonstrators in a region traditionally supportive of Erdogan’s ruling AKP and its nationalist MHP allies.

“Resign, government!” protesters chanted, as captured in videos shared by opposition media.

Addressing the crowd, Ozel said, “I warn those who treat the people of Yozgat like ants and try to crush them — we won’t let you break the spirit of these hardworking farmers!”

‘Enough is enough’

“The disregarded farmers and villagers will demand accountability, starting here in Yozgat!” he declared later on X. “The future of our nation will be determined by resolve and courage — not by those afraid of elections, but by the people!”

Dilek Imamoglu, wife of the jailed mayor, also voiced support on X: “Workers, farmers, students, women, and men — all those shaping our future — stood up in Yozgat today and said ‘enough is enough.’ Millions are calling for a just, lawful, and united country.”

Last month, a dozen local farmers were fined for holding a similar tractor protest against Imamoglu’s arrest and the crackdown on young demonstrators, which has drawn widespread criticism.

“The government is putting pressure on students — but aren’t students the future of Turkey?” one tractor driver told the Anka news agency, declining to be named. “We’re here to support one another. We can’t afford anything because of hunger and poverty. The government needs to stop favouritism and start addressing the people’s needs.”

During the rally, organisers read out a letter from Imamoglu urging support for the opposition’s call for early elections.

“If the government called early elections today, the economy would begin to recover,” he wrote, appealing directly to AKP and MHP supporters. — AFP