Ekrem Imamoglu

Ekrem Imamoglu is a Turkish businessman, building contractor, and centre-left politician serving as the 32nd Mayor of Istanbul. After graduating from Trabzon High School, he completed his undergraduate and then graduate education at Istanbul University. He started his active political life in 2008 as a member of the Republican People's Party. In the local elections of March 30, 2014, he was elected as the Mayor of Beylikduzu with the great favor of the people of Beylikduzu, by increasing the vote share of the party from 30 percent in the previous election to 50.8 percent.

Ekrem was announced to be the Nation Alliance's joint candidate for Istanbul Mayor, overtaking more prominent contenders such as Muharrem Ince, the CHP's 2018 presidential candidate. On the eve of the elections, Ekrem gained a narrow lead in the mayoral race, with initial results showing his lead to be around 23,000 votes. His lead was eventually cut to 13,729 after a series of recounts backed by the government.

Ekrem was sworn in as Mayor of Istanbul on 17 April, following the conclusion of all recounts. On 6 May 2019, the Supreme Electoral Council convened and voted to annul the results of the mayoral election. A new election took place on 23 June 2019 in which Ekre, was re-elected as the mayor by a margin of approximately 800,000 votes. He was sworn into office on 27 June 2019. Because of the scale of his victory and popularity, he has been called a possible candidate for the Turkish presidency in the next elections.

Ekrem also played football as a student. He served as a board member at Trabzonspor Football Club, Trabzonspor Basketball Club, and Beylikduzuspor Sports Club.