Turkish police attempt to block opposition rally amid CHP leadership crisis

Wednesday 27 May 2026 - 16:00

Turkish police attempted on Tuesday to prevent an opposition rally from taking place in the western city of Izmir, as tensions escalated within the country’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

The gathering was organized by supporters of CHP leader Özgür Özel, who has recently been at the center of a political and legal dispute over his leadership. The rally took place in a context of growing internal conflict within the party, following a court ruling that questioned the validity of its internal congress.

Authorities deployed riot police around the planned protest site and used water cannons to disperse crowds that had already gathered. Despite the restrictions, participants and party officials insisted on continuing the demonstration, framing it as a defense of democratic legitimacy.

Özel strongly criticized the legal and political pressure facing the opposition, arguing that the situation goes beyond internal party matters and reflects a broader struggle between citizens and the government led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

A court in Ankara had previously invalidated Özel’s leadership, citing alleged irregularities during a party congress held in 2023, and temporarily reinstated former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The decision deepened divisions within the CHP, which has faced months of internal instability.

The crisis comes at a politically sensitive time for the opposition, following previous electoral successes in major cities such as Istanbul and Ankara. However, the party has since faced increased legal scrutiny and high-profile arrests of key figures, further intensifying political tensions.

Özel has called for an urgent party congress and new internal elections to resolve the leadership dispute, insisting that the future of the party should be determined by its members rather than court rulings.

Political analysts note that the situation reflects broader debates in Turkey about judicial independence, political competition, and the role of opposition movements in a highly polarized environment.