Turkish Opposition Leader Vows to Fight Court Ruling Ousting Him
Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel has vowed to fight a court ruling.
A Dark Day for Democracy
The ruling removes him and fellow party leaders. It is the latest legal move that helps cement President Erdoğan’s grip on power. The appeal court declared the 2023 leadership election in Özel’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) null and void. Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside party headquarters in Ankara. “We are experiencing a dark day for Turkish democracy,” said Özel. He vowed to challenge the ruling in the courts and with Turkey’s supreme election council (YSK).
Justice Minister Defends Ruling
Justice Minister Akin Gürlek insisted the ruling “reinforces our citizens’ trust in democracy”. Until recently, Gürlek was the chief prosecutor in Istanbul. He spearheaded investigations targeting the opposition and Istanbul’s popular mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu. Imamoğlu is still considered Erdoğan’s biggest political rival. He has been in jail for over a year. Gürlek accused him of corruption offences that carry more than 2,000 years behind bars.
