Turkey is experiencing unprecedented unrest following the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is now seen as consolidating power towards an authoritarian regime. Thousands have rallied outside Istanbul city hall for two consecutive nights, defying a protest ban, as calls for nationwide demonstrations grow. The arrest has sparked political outrage, prompting accusations of a crackdown on democracy amid a favorable international climate for Erdogan. The political situation is further exacerbated by economic instability, with the Turkish lira crashing to a record low. As protests erupt across the country, many citizens are questioning the state of democracy in Turkey and expressing their defiance in the face of increased government repression.