At least 50,000 people gathered in Ankara’s Tandogan Square on Sunday, September 14, 2025, in a dramatic show of defiance against what they described as a year-long legal crackdown targeting Turkey’s main opposition party. The protest, one of the largest the capital has seen in recent years, unfolded under the looming shadow of a pivotal court decision expected on Monday that could fundamentally reshape the political landscape by invalidating the 2023 congress of the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Organizers and live footage cited by Reuters and FRANCE 24 showed crowds waving Turkish flags and party banners, their chants for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s resignation echoing across the square. The atmosphere was electric, with demonstrators bracing for a verdict that could oust CHP’s current leadership and disrupt the fragile status quo ahead of the next general election, scheduled for 2028.
The case before the court concerns alleged procedural irregularities during the CHP’s 2023 congress—the same gathering that saw Ozgur Ozel elected as party leader. If the court rules to invalidate the congress, the consequences could extend far beyond the party itself, rattling financial markets and potentially altering the timing and tenor of the next national vote. Some analysts warn that even a delay in the ruling could prolong uncertainty, keeping both investors and the public on edge.
Ozel, addressing the rally with raw emotion, accused the government of clinging to power by undermining democratic norms and suppressing dissent. He argued that the legal actions against his party were politically motivated, particularly following a series of opposition victories in local elections over the past year. "This case is political. The accusations are slander. Our comrades are innocent. What's being done is a coup – a coup against the future president, against the future government. We will resist, we will resist, we will resist," he declared, as reported by FRANCE 24.
Ozel’s speech did not stop there. He called for a snap general election, seeking to capitalize on the momentum generated by the recent municipal wins and the palpable sense of injustice among the crowd. "This government does not want democracy," he said. "They know they cannot win the elections if there is democracy. They don't want justice: they know if there's justice they won't be able to cover up their crimes."
The government, for its part, has denied any political motivation behind the crackdown, insisting that Turkey’s judiciary operates independently. Yet, the numbers cited by Reuters tell a different story: over the past year, more than 500 people—including 17 mayors—have been detained in Istanbul and other CHP-run municipalities as part of sweeping corruption investigations. Hundreds of CHP members remain in jail awaiting trial, swept up in a sprawling probe that alleges links to both corruption and terrorism.
One of the most prominent figures ensnared in these investigations is Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, widely regarded as President Erdogan’s main political rival. Imamoglu’s arrest in March 2025 triggered the largest protests the country has seen in a decade, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets in a spontaneous outpouring of anger and frustration. The unrest even spilled over into the financial markets, causing a brief but sharp selloff in the Turkish lira and other assets—a stark reminder of the economic stakes riding on Turkey’s political stability.
At Sunday’s rally, Imamoglu’s presence was felt despite his absence. From his prison cell, he sent a letter that was read aloud to the crowd, accusing the government of trying to rig the next election by sidelining legitimate rivals and undermining democratic processes. “The era of 'I' in this country will end, and the era of 'we' will begin. One person will lose, and everyone else will win,” Imamoglu wrote. The crowd erupted in applause, chanting “President Imamoglu” in a clear sign of where their loyalties lie.
For many in attendance, the protest was about more than just the fate of a single party or politician. It was a stand against what they see as a systematic campaign to stifle dissent and erode the checks and balances that are supposed to underpin Turkish democracy. The scale of the detentions—spanning mayors, local officials, and hundreds of party members—has left opposition supporters feeling besieged, but also galvanized.
The stakes are high not just for the CHP, but for the entire country. The court’s decision on Monday could set a precedent for how political disputes are resolved in Turkey, and whether the opposition has a fair shot at contesting future elections. With the general election still three years away, the outcome could either embolden the government to pursue further crackdowns or force a recalibration if the backlash proves too costly.
Financial markets are watching closely as well. Political instability has long been a source of volatility for the Turkish economy, and any move that is perceived as undermining democratic norms or sidelining popular opposition figures could trigger renewed jitters among investors. The brief selloff following Imamoglu’s arrest earlier this year is a case in point—a warning sign that the economic repercussions of political unrest can be swift and severe.
Yet, despite the risks and the heavy police presence at the rally, those in Tandogan Square seemed undeterred. Some waved banners calling for unity, while others simply stood in silence, their faces etched with determination. The message from the crowd was clear: they are not willing to accept what they see as an assault on their rights and their future.
As the nation awaits the court’s ruling, both sides are digging in. The government continues to defend its actions as necessary for rooting out corruption and maintaining security, while the opposition insists that the real aim is to eliminate political competition and entrench one-party rule. The coming days are likely to bring more protests, more political maneuvering, and—if the past year is any guide—more uncertainty for a country already on edge.
Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: the events unfolding in Ankara are about more than just legal technicalities or party politics. They are a test of Turkey’s democratic resilience, and the result will shape the country’s trajectory for years to come.