Turkish riot police stormed the headquarters of the country's main opposition party on Sunday to oust its leader, sparking violent clashes. Plumes of tear gas billowed above the Republican People's Party (CHP) building in Ankara, where party members erected a barricade to prevent security forces from entering.
Court Ruling Sparks Crisis
The violent confrontation came days after a court ruled the election of Özgür Özel as CHP leader null and void, in what is viewed by some as a ploy to tighten President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's iron grip on power. The dramatic scuffles were the latest episode in a crackdown by Erdoğan on his political rivals, who have angrily resisted in the streets.
Party members had blocked the building's entrances, defying the court order issued Thursday as part of an official probe against the CHP before officers broke in to remove the group's leader. 'They stormed our headquarters, used tear gas, beat us with batons, ransacked the party [building] and threw us out,' Özel said.
Accusations of Authoritarianism
Özel said his rival Erdoğan had 'lost his senses', claiming the assault was part of the president's manoeuvres 'to win the next elections', due in 2028. Last year, Turkish authorities jailed Erdoğan's main political rival, Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was the CHP's candidate for the 2028 presidential election. They arrested him on corruption charges which he has dismissed as politically motivated.
Thursday's court order cancelled the 2023 victory in party elections of CHP head Özel and named its former chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu – a lacklustre figure who suffered a string of electoral defeats – as interim leader. 'Just as he (Erdoğan) jailed the presidential candidate who could have beaten him, he has now officially closed the political party that could have beaten him,' Özel said.
Democracy Under Threat
The court order, which cited alleged irregularities in Özel's election, is viewed as fuelling a crisis at the heart of Turkey's democracy. On Sunday, Ankara's governor ordered the eviction of those inside CHP's headquarters. The ousted CHP leadership condemned the court ruling as a 'judicial coup' and experts believe it could prolong Erdoğan's 23-year rule.
After the raid by police, Özel vowed the CHP would from now on be 'on the streets, in the squares, marching towards power.' He then marched to the Turkish parliament alongside supporters and made a speech to thousands, who chanted 'Traitor Kemal' and 'Shoulder-to-shoulder against fascists.'
Erdoğan's Future
Erdoğan has led Turkey since 2003, first as prime minister and then as president. Özel has accused the 72-year-old leader of attempting to 'eliminate its rivals.' Erdoğan can only run for president again if he calls early elections before 2028 or alters the constitution.
