Secularism, Islamism, and the Future of Turkey

Abstract: In March 2025, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was jailed on corruption charges—the same day he was elected as the Turkish opposition’s presidential candidate by 15 million voters in an unprecedented primary. His candidacy poses a significant challenge to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 22-year rule and redefines the Islamist-secularist divide by resonating with both religious and secular voters. As Erdoğan’s support declines amid economic turmoil, Turkey’s opposition oMers a potential model for resisting authoritarian populism. This political shift carries broader implications for the future of secularism, Islamism, and democratic resilience—not only in Turkey but across the Muslim world and beyond.