Turkey's Ousted Opposition Leader Draws Thousands in Ankara

Ozgur Ozel, the recently ousted leader of Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), drew thousands of supporters to a rally in Ankara, Deutsche Welle reported. A court ruling removed him from the post, and the party says the decision was politically motivated.

The opposition's argument is direct. It contends that the ruling is designed to ensure Ozel cannot challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2028 election, which would remove a potential rival before the campaign begins.

Political interference in opposition leadership is a recurring concern for investors in Turkey, because the perceived independence of courts and institutions shapes confidence in the rule of law and in economic policy. Turkey has experienced repeated episodes of currency weakness and high inflation, and institutional disputes tend to amplify that uncertainty.

The size of the Ankara crowd indicates that the contest is not settled. A prolonged confrontation among the courts, the government and the opposition would add a domestic political risk to an economy that is already managing fragile confidence.