Turkey on a Hot Tin Roof: Calls to Defend Democracy Outside Istanbul Municipality Amid Escalating Political Crisis

Turkey is witnessing a state of intense political tension as public protests escalate and the political crisis linked to the Republican People’s Party (CHP), the country’s largest opposition party, This comes amid ongoing calls for demonstrations in defense of democracy and justice.

CHP Calls for Protest Outside Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

The Republican People’s Party issued an urgent statement calling on citizens to gather outside the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality headquarters to defend “democracy, justice, and the will of the people.”
This call comes amid ongoing protests that erupted following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19, 2025, on charges related to corruption and terrorism — a move the party described as a “political coup” aimed at silencing the opposition and blocking İmamoğlu’s candidacy in the upcoming 2028 presidential elections.

Details of the Political Crisis

Events in Turkey have been escalating for months, with intensified judicial and security targeting of the Republican People’s Party (CHP). On September 2, 2025, a civil court in Istanbul issued a ruling annulling the results of the party’s 2023 congress. This led to the dismissal of the party’s Istanbul branch head, Özgür Çelik, along with 195 party officials, on charges of manipulating delegate votes through cash payments. A temporary committee, headed by former MP Gürsel Tekin, was appointed to manage the party’s branch in the city — a decision that sparked widespread controversy both within and outside the party.

In addition, the CHP-led districts of Avcılar and Beşiktaş witnessed security operations as part of ongoing “corruption” investigations targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Seven individuals were arrested, including prominent officials.

Public Protests and Reactions

Since the arrest of İmamoğlu, massive demonstrations have erupted in Istanbul and other cities such as Ankara and Izmir, where hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered to denounce what they described as “judicial politicization” and the government’s attempts to suppress the opposition. CHP leader Özgür Özel stated that the number of protesters in Istanbul alone reached 300,000 on March 22, 2025, despite authorities closing roads and bridges leading to Taksim Square and the municipal building.

Police confronted the demonstrators with tear gas and rubber bullets on multiple occasions, leading to clashes in both Istanbul and Izmir. Özel declared that the party would continue to engage in politics “in the streets and public squares,” warning that the protests would not stop until justice is restored.

In contrast, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Turkey “will not bow to the street terrorism,” while Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç warned that the calls for demonstrations are “illegal.”

Economic and Political Repercussions

These developments have led to a significant drop in the value of the Turkish lira, further increasing economic pressure on the country. The arrests and judicial actions against the party have also drawn international criticism, with European mayors calling for the immediate release of İmamoğlu, considering his detention a threat to democracy.

İmamoğlu’s Presidential Candidacy

Despite the judicial challenges, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) announced on March 24, 2025, the nomination of Ekrem İmamoğlu as its candidate for the upcoming presidential elections — a move that underscores the party’s determination to confront political pressure. İmamoğlu, who enjoys widespread popularity, is widely seen as the strongest contender against President Erdoğan, making the legal actions against him a major point of controversy over their political motivations.

Conclusion

Turkey remains in a state of political polarization as protests and judicial investigations against the Republican People’s Party (CHP) continue. With the party’s latest call to gather outside the Istanbul Municipality, it appears that the political crisis in the country has yet to reach a resolution signaling the likelihood of further tension in the coming days.