Turkey’s opposition head accuses Erdoğan of legal ‘coup’

In this frame grab, from video taken by an individual not employed by The Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran, Iranian police arrive to disperse a protest to mark 40 days since the death in morality police custody of 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, in Tehran, Iran, October 26, 2022. (AP Photo)

Published September 7, 2025

Özgür Özel says President Erdoğan is trying to create a Russian-style one party system in Turkey © Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images

In recent weeks, Turkey’s political landscape has experienced a surge of tension and controversy. Özgür Özel, leader of the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has publicly accused President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of orchestrating a “legal coup” to weaken and destabilize opposition forces in the country. The move comes amid a series of court rulings and legal challenges that have unsettled the Turkish political system and ignited widespread public debate.

The Legal Challenge

At the center of the controversy is a recent judicial decision that annulled the CHP’s Istanbul provincial congress, retroactively invalidating leadership appointments made in 2023. Özel characterized this ruling as a politically motivated effort to dismantle the opposition from within. In his speeches, he emphasized that the CHP would not succumb to what he views as authoritarian tactics, vowing to fight both in court and on the streets.

“The judiciary should be a guardian of justice, not a tool of political oppression,” Özel said in a fiery address to party members. “We will use all available legal and civil channels to defend our party, our democracy, and the voice of the people.”

👥 Public/Political Reactions

🇹🇷 Domestic Reactions

Opposition Leaders’ Condemnation: CHP leader Özgür Özel has strongly criticized the court’s decision to annul the Istanbul provincial congress, describing it as a “judicial coup” aimed at dismantling the opposition. He emphasized that this move threatens the multi-party system and vowed to continue the fight against what he perceives as authoritarianism.

Public Protests: Following the court ruling, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Istanbul and other cities, expressing their discontent. In Zeytinburnu, a district traditionally supportive of Erdoğan, crowds waved Turkish flags and chanted slogans such as “Government, resign!” and “They think they can silence us and create an opposition that suits them, but we will not bow.”

Economic Impact: The political unrest has had economic repercussions, with the BIST 100 index falling over 3.5% after the court’s decision. Analysts warn that these developments could shift Turkey further from electoral democracy toward authoritarianism.

🌍 International Reactions

European Human Rights Concerns: The Council of Europe has condemned the arrest of human rights activist Enes Hocaogullari, who criticized President Erdoğan’s government during a session in Strasbourg. The Council described the detention as baseless and warned that silencing youth amounts to silencing democracy.

Criticism from Human Rights Organizations: Human Rights Watch has expressed concern over the arrest of CHP officials, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, labeling them as politically motivated. The organization urges the Turkish government to uphold democratic principles and the rule of law.

The YouTube video titled “Özgür Özel Takes King Against the Coup and Its Collaborators” features Özgür Özel, the leader of Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), delivering a passionate speech accusing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government of orchestrating a legal “coup” to dismantle the opposition and establish a one-party state.

Key Points from the Video:

• Accusation of Legal Coup: Özel criticizes a recent court ruling that retroactively invalidated the 2023 appointment of the CHP’s Istanbul provincial head. He views this as a politically motivated move to weaken the party’s leadership and its ability to challenge Erdoğan’s long-standing rule.

• Call for Resistance: He urges the public to resist what he describes as an authoritarian regime, emphasizing the importance of defending democratic institutions and the rule of law.

• Commitment to Legal and Civil Actions: Özel announces that the CHP will pursue legal challenges and organize peaceful protests to counteract the government’s actions. He stresses that the party will not recognize decisions from lower courts that it deems politically influenced.

• Warning of Escalation: He warns that if the government continues its actions, the CHP is prepared to escalate its response, including potentially challenging the validity of past elections won by Erdoğan, such as the 2017 referendum that expanded presidential powers.

• Defense of Democracy: Özel concludes by stating that the CHP is committed to upholding democratic principles and will continue to fight against what it perceives as efforts to undermine Turkey’s democratic institutions.

⚠️ Resulting Effects

1️⃣ Political Effects

• Weakened Opposition: Legal challenges, including the annulment of Istanbul CHP’s provincial congress, aim to weaken party leadership and disrupt organizational stability.

• Heightened Polarization: The move has deepened divisions between Erdoğan supporters and opposition voters, increasing political tension nationwide.

• Strategic Countermeasures: CHP has vowed to fight back using legal appeals, protests, and public campaigns, signaling prolonged political conflict.

2️⃣ Public Effects

• Mass Protests: Demonstrations erupted in Istanbul and other cities, with citizens expressing frustration over what they see as government overreach.

• Erosion of Trust: Many citizens perceive the judiciary as being influenced by political power, undermining confidence in democratic institutions.

• Youth Discontent: Young activists and students have increasingly voiced opposition, seeing these legal measures as silencing dissent.

3️⃣ Economic Effects

• Market Volatility: The BIST 100 index and Turkish lira have experienced fluctuations due to political uncertainty.

• Investor Caution: Foreign investors are wary of instability and potential erosion of democratic norms, affecting investment flows.

4️⃣ International Effects

• Human Rights Criticism: Organizations like Human Rights Watch and the Council of Europe have condemned arrests and legal pressure on opposition figures.

• Global Attention: Turkey’s democratic trajectory is under scrutiny, with concerns about authoritarianism and suppression of free speech affecting diplomatic relations.

🔮 Future Outlook

1️⃣ Political Outlook

• Continued Legal Battles: The CHP and other opposition parties are likely to continue appealing court rulings, challenging the government in both domestic and international legal arenas.

• Rising Political Polarization: Tensions between Erdoğan supporters and opposition groups are expected to intensify, potentially leading to larger demonstrations and increased political activism.

• Potential Leadership Shifts: Ongoing legal and political pressure may trigger changes in local or provincial party leadership to adapt to the government’s legal strategies.

2️⃣ Public Reaction

• Escalating Protests: Public demonstrations may grow in scale and frequency, especially in urban centers like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.

• Youth Mobilization: Young voters and student groups are likely to become increasingly active in opposition campaigns, both online and offline.

• Social Media Campaigns: The opposition may leverage social media to amplify their message and mobilize supporters internationally.

3️⃣ Economic Implications

• Market Volatility: Continued political uncertainty may affect the Turkish lira and stock market, with investors wary of instability.

• Foreign Investment Caution: Potential investors could delay projects or reduce exposure due to concerns over governance and rule-of-law issues.

• Economic Policy Uncertainty: Policy decisions may become more politically motivated, affecting inflation, interest rates, and fiscal stability.

4️⃣ International Perspective

• Heightened Scrutiny: International organizations and foreign governments will likely monitor Turkey’s democratic processes more closely.

• Diplomatic Pressure: Criticism from the EU, the U.S., and human rights groups may increase, potentially affecting trade and diplomatic relations.

• Global Media Attention: Turkey’s internal political struggles will continue to attract global news coverage, influencing Turkey’s international image.

5️⃣ Possible Scenarios

1. Status Quo Maintained: Erdoğan continues consolidating power, and the opposition struggles to regain influence.

2. Opposition Resurgence: Legal challenges and public mobilization lead to reforms or gains for opposition parties.

3. Heightened Conflict: Intensifying protests and political clashes could create a period of instability and uncertainty.

🧩 Bottom Line:

The ongoing legal and political confrontations between Turkey’s ruling government and the opposition reflect a critical juncture in the country’s democratic trajectory. Özgür Özel’s accusations of a legal “coup” highlight the perception that the judiciary is being used to consolidate power and weaken opposition parties.

The resulting effects—ranging from mass protests and public discontent to market volatility and international scrutiny—illustrate that the crisis is multidimensional, affecting politics, society, and the economy.

Looking forward, Turkey faces a period of uncertainty. The opposition’s resilience, public mobilization, and international attention will play pivotal roles in determining whether the country can maintain democratic norms or whether political consolidation by Erdoğan will continue to dominate.

Ultimately, the situation underscores the importance of judicial independence, democratic accountability, and civic engagement in safeguarding Turkey’s democratic institutions.

SOURCES: FINANCIAL TIMES – Turkey’s opposition head accuses Erdoğan of legal ‘coup’

TURKISH MINUTE – Thousands protest after court ousts main opposition party’s İstanbul leaders