Tensions escalated across Turkey after riot police used teargas and water cannon to disperse supporters of ousted opposition leader Özgür Özel during a mass rally in İzmir, deepening concerns over the country’s political future and democratic institutions.
The unrest comes just days after a controversial court ruling removed Özel from his post as leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), overturning the party’s 2023 internal election. The decision reinstated veteran politician Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as party chief, triggering outrage among CHP supporters and sparking accusations of political interference.
According to Turkish media reports, thousands gathered in İzmir’s Cumhuriyet Square waving flags and chanting slogans in support of Özel. Authorities had earlier ordered the closure of the square and deployed heavily armed riot police along with water cannon trucks in an attempt to block the demonstration.
As crowds surged toward the rally site, clashes erupted between protesters and security forces. Television footage showed police firing teargas into the crowd while demonstrators shouted, “President Özgür, free Turkey!”
Addressing supporters from the roof of a campaign bus, Özel challenged Kılıçdaroğlu to hold an immediate party congress following the Eid al-Fitr holiday so party members could democratically elect their leader once again.
“Bring whoever you want as a delegate and let’s compete,” Özel declared. “This is not just an internal CHP matter. This is about democracy in Turkey.”
The political crisis intensified after Özel claimed riot police stormed the CHP headquarters in Ankara on Sunday, using force to remove party members from the building. He accused President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of using state institutions to silence political opposition.
“Turkey has ceased to be a modern democratic republic and has turned into a one-man regime,” Özel said during the rally.
The legal case against the CHP leadership centered on allegations of vote-buying during the party’s 2023 leadership primary. The accusations had previously been dismissed by a lower court due to lack of evidence before being revived on appeal.
The latest developments follow the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Erdoğan’s strongest political rival and the CHP’s presidential candidate. Critics both inside and outside Turkey have described the charges against İmamoğlu as politically motivated.
The CHP, Turkey’s oldest political party, has gained momentum in recent years after securing major victories against Erdoğan’s ruling AKP party in the 2024 local elections. Analysts say the growing crackdown on opposition figures could further polarize the country ahead of future national elections.
As Turkey prepares for the Eid holiday, uncertainty continues to grip the opposition movement, with many supporters fearing that the political confrontation between Erdoğan’s government and the CHP is entering a dangerous new phase.
