The PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions warmly congratulates Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul, on being awarded the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award in recognition of his unwavering commitment to democracy, transparency, and the rule of law.
The award honours those who courageously stand up for democratic values and promote freedom, solidarity, and equality. Ekrem İmamoğlu’s leadership, despite intimidation and political pressure, has become a powerful symbol of democratic resilience in Türkiye and beyond, embodying a vision of society rooted in fairness, equality, and respect for citizens’ rights.
Luca Menesini, Nuri Aslan, Antje Grotheer, Dario Nardella
The Paweł Adamowicz Award is not only a tribute to an individual. It is a clear political signal. Luca Menesini, PES Group President in the European Committee of the Regions, who initiated İmamoğlu’s nomination, stressed the broader European significance of the award:
“Ekrem İmamoğlu represents the very essence of democratic courage. When an elected mayor is removed for defending transparency, inclusion, and citizens' rights, it is not just a local issue but a European issue.”
Antje Grotheer, President of the Bremen State Parliament, 1st Vice President of the PES Group in the CoR and member of the CoR Working Group on Türkiye, underlined the consistent stance of local and regional leaders across Europe:
“The Committee of the Regions has been clear and consistent: we adopted an urgent resolution condemning the dismissal of elected mayors, we conducted high-level visits to send a strong political signal, and today, through the Paweł Adamowicz Award, we reaffirm our commitment to democratic legitimacy and the rule of law.”
The award was accepted for the imprisoned mayor by the acting Mayor of Istanbul Nuri Aslan. Sending a message from prison, Ekrem İmamoğlu reaffirmed his belief in democracy and the will of the people:
“I believe in Türkiye’s future. Because our nation knows how to preserve its own will, even in difficult times. Our aspiration is for Türkiye to return fully to the path of a democratic state governed by the rule of law.”
İmamoğlu highlighted the universal dimension of the struggle for democracy:
“My struggle is not the struggle of a single person. It is a matter of a country’s future. And this struggle is not only for Türkiye. It carries meaning for all countries experiencing democratic backsliding. We must continue to defend universal values, which are a testament to humanity’s shared heritage.”
Contact person:
Vanessa Paget
+33771636437
Vanessa.paget@cor.europa.eu