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Erdogan dismisses as 'theatrics' criticism of Istanbul mayor detention

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 20, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 24, 2026

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Erdogan dismisses as 'theatrics' criticism of Istanbul mayor detention
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ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday the main opposition party was seeking to cover up its own mistakes and deceive people with "theatrics", in his first comments on

Erdogan Dismisses Criticism Over Istanbul Mayor's Detention

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday the main opposition party was seeking to cover up its own mistakes and deceive people with "theatrics", in his first comments on the detention of Istanbul's mayor.

"We have neither the time to waste on pointless debates nor stacks of money to recklessly throw around," Erdogan said in an address in Ankara, a day after Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, his main political rival, was detained.

The Republican People's Party's issues "are not the country's issues, but the issues of a handful of opportunists in their headquarters," he said. "We have no time to waste on the opposition's theatrics."

(Reporting by Canan Sevgili and Huseyin Hayatsever; Writing by Jonathan Spicer; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

Key Takeaways

  • Erdogan calls opposition's criticism 'theatrics'.
  • Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu detained, sparking debate.
  • Erdogan accuses opposition of covering up mistakes.
  • Erdogan emphasizes focus on national issues over opposition.
  • Political tensions rise between Erdogan and opposition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
The main topic is Erdogan's dismissal of criticism regarding the detention of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.
Why was the Istanbul mayor detained?
The article does not specify the reasons for the detention, focusing instead on Erdogan's response to the criticism.
What is Erdogan's stance on the issue?
Erdogan dismisses the opposition's criticism as theatrics and accuses them of trying to cover up their own mistakes.

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