Mass Gathering Demonstrates Continued Support for Opposition Figure
Former opposition leader Ozgur Ozel drew thousands of supporters to the streets of Ankara on Saturday, days after a court ruling removed him from the leadership of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).
The large gathering highlighted Ozel’s continued influence within the party despite the legal decision that annulled the CHP’s 2023 party congress. The ruling effectively reinstated former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who previously led the party and contested the 2023 presidential election against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
According to reports from opposition-aligned media outlets and the private Anka news agency, tens of thousands of people attended the rally. After addressing supporters, Ozel led a peaceful march through the Turkish capital, emphasizing that the dispute extended beyond internal party politics.
Furthermore, Ozel argued that the issue represented a broader political struggle concerning the future direction of Turkish democracy and opposition politics.
Supporters at the rally voiced strong backing for Ozel, chanting slogans and calling for changes within the party leadership structure.
Calls Grow for New Party Congress Amid Leadership Dispute
Meanwhile, Kemal Kilicdaroglu visited CHP headquarters for the first time since the court ruling and pledged to address allegations of corruption involving municipalities governed by the party.
However, members of the ousted leadership rejected those accusations, describing them as politically motivated. Government officials have denied claims that the legal process was influenced by political considerations.
As tensions within the opposition continued, Ozel called for an immediate party congress to allow members to determine the party’s future leadership through a democratic process.
Additionally, Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas joined the demonstration and echoed demands for a new congress. Yavas is widely viewed as a potential future presidential candidate and remains a prominent figure within the opposition movement.
Following the rally, Ozel led supporters on a march to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey and the CHP.
While Kilicdaroglu indicated that a party congress would take place in the future, he did not provide a specific timeline.
The latest developments have intensified debate within Turkey’s opposition as political leaders seek to redefine strategy ahead of future national elections.
