Description: The Turkish political crisis enters a crucial period, with CHP leader, Ozgur Ozel awaiting a decision from a Court in Ankara on whether he would remain as the Republican People’s Party leader or be forcibly removed. Thousands of protesters marched on 14 Sep and called for President Erdogan’s resignation as he continued his crackdown and oppression on political opponents. The Court in Ankara would decide whether Ozel would remain as CHP leader or be removed following last week’s decision by a Court in Istanbul, to appoint ousted CHP member Gursel Tekin as the party’s new leader, claiming that CHP’s annual Congress to choose regional and party leaders in 2023 was heavily influenced by domestic and foreign capital interests. Ozel addressed the protesters stating that the Turkish courts have been influenced by Erdogan and the political persecution would meet its end. The Turkish government has so far arrested more than 500 members of CHP including 17 mayors which caused enhanced public outrage, negatively impacted the markets and severely destabilized the country. The protests intensified after former Istanbul mayor and potential presidential candidate, Ekrem Imamoglu, was imprisoned in Mar on corruption charges.
Impact: Turkey could be entering a period of protracted political crisis as President Erdogan faces increased public outrage as he intensifies the political persecution of his rivals. The Turkish courts have repeatedly attempted to restructure CHP’s leadership which precipitated the persisting protests and defiance from the party’s members. The domestic instability already has severe negative impacts on the country’s economy and hampers Turkey’s international and regional standing as one of the more influential countries both in NATO and in the region. President Erdogan is currently in a precarious situation where he has to balance between legislative and political oppression of the CHP and handling the public’s reaction as he struggles with decreasing public support and calls for snap elections. Political tensions in the country would escalate, potentially further inflaming the public unrest and causing even further instability in the country.