A generational change is looming in Turkish politics

New names for the post-Erdogan era signify a generational change in Turkish politics.
Ekrem Imamoglu, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul mayoral candidate, is pictured with his party's Istanbul chair Canan Kaftancioglu during a campaign coordination meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, May 22, 2019. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC1C172A6B30
Ekrem Imamoglu (L), main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul mayoral candidate, is pictured with his party's Istanbul chair, Canan Kaftancioglu, during a campaign coordination meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, May 22, 2019. - REUTERS/Murad Sezer
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Cengiz Candar
@cengizcandar

Turks were outraged a week ago after hearing that an Istanbul court sentenced Canan Kaftancioglu — the chairwoman of the Istanbul branch of the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) — to some nine years in prison for tweets she shared seven years ago criticizing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government.

She was considered the mastermind behind Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s stunning victory against Erdogan’s candidate in the rerun elections on June 23. 

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