*Update*: Özel mobilizes tens of thousands against court decision in Ankara

Özgür Özel, who was removed as chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) by court ruling a week ago, led a march through Ankara on Saturday attended by tens of thousands of supporters. The rally marks a new peak in the power crisis of Turkey's largest opposition party.

The demonstration followed a turbulent day: in the morning, Özel visited the CHP party headquarters for the first time since the court ruling, triggering fresh tensions within the organization. The court had annulled the 2023 primary election and installed a new party chairman – a step that Özel and his supporters criticize as politically motivated.

Massive support in the capital

The mass rally in Ankara underscores support for Özel among segments of the opposition base. Tens of thousands of sympathizers marched through the center of the capital to protest his removal from office. The size of the gathering signals that the controversy surrounding Özel's ouster is deeply dividing the CHP and raises the question of how stable the opposition movement remains in the face of challenges from President Erdoğan's government.

The events shed light on the fragile situation of Turkish opposition. While the CHP grapples with internal power struggles, it remains unclear how the party can preserve its unity – a critical question for any force seeking to challenge Erdoğan's dominance.