CHP has been able to ‘unite right wing and left wing opposition parties in solidarity’ with Imamoglu

Police arrested nearly 400 people in Istanbul on Thursday, with parts of Turkey’s biggest city paralysed in a bid to prevent May Day demonstrations, officials said. More than 50,000 officers were deployed in a massive show of force in the metropolis, a day after authorities shut metro, bus and ferry services. This year’s May Day comes as the government is embroiled in a showdown with the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), following the detention of its presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu. Imamoglu, who is Istanbul’s mayor, is the biggest political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24’s François Picard welcomes Bedri Baykam, celebrated Turkish author and artist. He is also a columnist for Cumhuriyet.