Ankara, Turkey – On September 14, 2025, tens of thousands gathered in Ankara to protest what they describe as escalating legal pressure on the Republican People's Party (CHP), Turkey's main opposition party. The demonstration was a response to a court case that could invalidate the CHP's 2023 congress, where Özgür Özel was elected party leader. The CHP views this legal challenge as politically motivated, while the Turkish government asserts it stems from procedural irregularities. The protest highlights Turkey's deepening political polarization and the opposition's resistance to perceived government suppression, especially following the CHP's recent successes in local elections.
Central to the protest is the upcoming court decision on September 15, 2025, concerning the validity of the CHP's 2023 congress. The outcome could lead to the ousting of Özgür Özel as party leader and necessitate new internal elections. In anticipation, the CHP has announced plans for an extraordinary congress on September 21, 2025, should the 2023 convention be annulled, aiming to prevent the potential appointment of a trustee. Özgür Özel addressed the rally, stating the government's actions were an attempt to subvert democratic principles and suppress opposition voices. He noted that over 500 CHP members, including 17 mayors, have been detained in the past year.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure, conveyed a message from detention, accusing the government of orchestrating politically motivated judicial actions to influence future elections. İmamoğlu was arrested on March 19, 2025, on charges including corruption and supporting terrorism, an event that triggered widespread protests. Participants at the Ankara rally waved Turkish and CHP flags, chanting calls for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's resignation, while the government maintains the judiciary's independence.
The CHP's victories in the March 2024 local elections, where the party secured control of major cities including Istanbul and Ankara, are seen as a catalyst for the increased pressure on the opposition. These wins marked the worst electoral defeat for Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) in over two decades, intensifying political tensions. Critics view the government's actions as an effort to consolidate power and counter the opposition's growing momentum.
The broader implications of these legal and political battles extend to Turkey's democratic processes and the timing of the next general election, currently slated for 2028. International community and human rights organizations have expressed concerns regarding the Turkish judiciary's independence, with reports suggesting government interference and the use of anti-terrorism laws against critics and political opponents. The situation represents a critical juncture for Turkey's democratic institutions and the rule of law.