Tens of thousands gathered in Ankara’s Tandogan Square on Sunday to protest a looming court case that could oust the leadership of Turkey’s main opposition, the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
The demonstration, marked by Turkish flags and chants for President Tayyip Erdogan’s resignation, comes ahead of a Monday hearing that may invalidate the CHP’s 2023 congress due to alleged procedural issues.
The ruling could disrupt the party’s structure, impact financial markets, and potentially trigger a snap election before 2028.
The CHP has faced intense scrutiny, with over 500 members, including 17 mayors, detained in the past year amid corruption probes.
The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in March, a key Erdogan rival, ignited nationwide protests and a brief lira selloff.
Critics argue the government is using the judiciary to suppress opposition victories, particularly after the CHP’s strong performance in 2024 local elections.
The government maintains the judiciary operates independently, denying any political motives behind the crackdown.
At the rally, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel condemned the case as a “judicial coup” aimed at undermining democracy.
In a letter read aloud, imprisoned Mayor Imamoglu accused the government of rigging future elections by targeting rivals.
The crowd’s chants of “President Imamoglu” reflected strong support.
The CHP’s defiance signals a broader struggle against perceived efforts to erode democratic norms, as the party calls for resistance and a possible early election to challenge Erdogan’s rule.