Turkey’s political crisis deepens as CHP faces crackdown and barricades

Istanbul, the vibrant pulse of Turkey’s political and cultural life, has become the epicentre of a volatile confrontation between the government and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), as a months-long legal crackdown escalates into a broader crisis.

On 7 September the CHP called for mass rallies after police barricaded its provincial headquarters in Istanbul’s Sisli district, an action party leader Özgür Özel labeled a “siege.” This followed a 3 September court ruling by the 45th Civil Court of First Instance, which suspended the CHP’s Istanbul provincial leadership over alleged irregularities in a 2023 party congress and appointed an interim administration led by Gürsel Tekin, a former CHP lawmaker.

The CHP denounces the move as a politicized assault on democracy, while the government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, insists it is upholding the rule of law.

With Turkey’s domestic stability unravelling, the crisis threatens to exacerbate regional tensions and undermine the country’s standing at a critical geopolitical moment.

The CHP has faced relentless pressure since March 2025, when Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Erdoğan’s chief political rival, was arrested on corruption charges, igniting Turkey’s largest street protests in a decade. Hundreds of CHP members, including 14 mayors, have been detained on charges ranging from graft to alleged terrorism links, all of which the party dismisses as fabricated attempts to neutralize electoral threats to Erdoğan’s AK Party.

The court’s decision to oust Istanbul’s provincial head, Özgür Çelik, and impose a trustee administration is seen as a further effort to reshape the CHP’s leadership through judicial overreach.

Speaking at a party event, Özel called on “all democrats” to defend the CHP’s headquarters, invoking the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, modern Turkey’s founder, and framing the struggle as a defence of the republic itself.

“Defending the CHP is defending the Republic,” he declared, urging supporters to resist what he called a “blow to democracy.”

The government has responded with uncompromising force. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya accused Özel of defying legality by rejecting the court’s ruling and mobilizing supporters, warning that “no one is above the law.”

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül reinforced this stance, declaring a three-day ban on demonstrations in six central districts, including Besiktas and Sarıyer, and labeling participation in “illegal gatherings” a crime.

Since Sunday night, thousands of police officers have blockaded the CHP headquarters, with metal barricades sealing off surrounding roads. On Monday morning, unmarked trucks delivered additional barriers, sparking brief clashes with CHP supporters braving heavy rain.

Despite the crackdown, CHP deputies and officials remained defiant, chanting slogans like “Government resign” and “This is just the beginning, the struggle continues.” The party’s youth wing has called for further demonstrations, with a major rally planned for Monday at 0700 GMT.

The crisis has unified opposition forces, with leaders from Zafer Partisi, Türkiye İşçi Partisi (TİP), and DEM Party condemning the government’s actions. Zafer’s Ümit Özdağ warned of a “hostile criminal law” environment and a partial suspension of the constitution, accusing the AKP of dismantling democratic norms to cling to power. TİP’s Erkan Baş vowed to resist a “coup-minded government,” while DEM’s Ayşegül Doğan framed the trustee appointment as an attack on the people’s will, drawing parallels to past suppressions of Kurdish political movements.

Spontaneous protests have erupted across Istanbul, with residents banging pots and pans from balconies in solidarity. Çelik thanked citizens, noting, “Hope lies in the voices raised from every corner of Istanbul.”

The opposition’s united front underscores the crisis’s broader implications for Turkey’s democratic institutions.

This political turmoil comes at a precarious moment for Turkey and the broader region. Domestically, the crackdown has triggered economic fallout, with a selloff of Turkish stocks and bonds following the court’s ruling. The central bank reportedly sold $4-5 billion in reserves to stabilize the lira, underscoring the crisis’s financial toll.

Internationally, Turkey’s role as a NATO member and a key player in regional conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, adds urgency to the situation. The crisis also coincides with uncertainties surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, which could strain Turkey’s strategic partnerships.

Polls showing the CHP neck-and-neck with the AKP amplify the stakes, as Erdoğan’s administration faces growing public discontent. For now, Istanbul’s streets pulse with tension, as the CHP’s call to “defend Atatürk’s home” resonates as both a rallying cry and a challenge to Erdoğan’s 22-year grip on power.

Other sources used: Reuters

Caption: People hold pictures of Ekrem Imamoglu as they take part in a rally organized by the country’s main opposition, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), against the suspension and imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in Istanbul, Turkey, 3 September 2025. Imamoglu, of the Republican People’s Party, was jailed and dismissed by the Turkish Ministry of Interior on 23 March on corruption charges, following his detention on 19 March along with 100 others. A Turkish court ousted the party’s Istanbul head, Ozgur Celik, over congress irregularities on 2 September 2025. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN