Turkey’s biggest opposition party is running a symbolic national drive to collect 30mn signatures calling for the release of Ekrem Imamoglu, the jailed Istanbul mayor who is chief political rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and early elections.

The figure would be significant in that it would be more than the number of votes Erdogan received in the 2023 presidential vote, according to Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel, who on April 15 spoke to the Financial Times about the petition.

Ozel faces a fight to keep up the momentum of battle on behalf of Imamoglu, the CHP’s declared candidate for the next presidential poll who was arrested last month, with all the indications showing that he would beat Erdogan in a fair contest. But as observed by bne IntelliNews, if the CHP relies too much on what could be criticised as big gimmicks, rather than skilful and imaginative protest that can produce a meaningful impact on the stability of the harsh Erdogan regime, the moves to free Imamoglu and elect him to the palace could go nowhere.

CHP party officials say more than 10mn people have signed the petition so far.

Other continuing efforts include holding a “Free Imamoglu” rally every Wednesday in Istanbul and periodic demonstrations around the country.

“There are very few examples in the world of how to push back an authoritarian populist leader with peaceful demonstrations and civil protest,” Ozel told the FT. “This will be one.”

In taking on Erdogan, who has denied the corruption charges against Imamoglu are politically motivated, Ozel faces a ruthless political operator. “Whatever you can imagine, he [Erdogan] can do it . . . There are no limits,” Ozel said.

Looking at the lack of international criticism of the regime’s jailing of Imamoglu, he added: “Unfortunately, the current global context — Trump, Putin, the war in Syria — has turned Erdogan into someone other leaders want to bargain with.”