Speaking at the CHP’s weekly parliamentary group meeting—relocated from the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) in Ankara to the Mustafa Kemal Cultural Centre in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, due to ongoing protests—party leader Özgür Özel declared, “We are resisting a coup and exercising our right to resist. We stand against a handful of people betraying Turkey’s future for their political gain.”
Özel described the ongoing process that began with the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu as a coup attempt. He emphasised the public response, noting that citizens across Turkey have taken to the streets for seven consecutive days despite an extended protest ban in Istanbul.
“Today marks the seventh day of our resistance to the failed coup attempt on 19 March. People are not passive. Millions are expressing their outrage. We are not holding rallies but standing firm in squares. This is a legitimate resistance,” Özel said.
Criticising the government, he added: “This is not the will of the state or the people. A few corrupt figures have captured state institutions, but the state is not just those in power. We are facing a government that has lost the people and turned the state into a vehicle for its narrow interests.”
Addressing accusations over alliances, Özel clarified that the so-called ‘Urban Consensus’—a first-of-its-kind arrangement played a pivotal role in the 31 March 2024 local elections—had been dubbed as such by the pro-Kurdish DEM Party. The consensus enabled the CHP to gain municipalities like Esenyurt in Istanbul and Akdeniz in Mersin, which were both replaced by state appointees in last 3 months. Özel stressed that the CHP had sought electoral cooperation across political parties, aiming to align with the electorate rather than formal alliances.
“The DEM Party chose not to field candidates in certain districts where they believed CHP nominees would represent public interest, justice, and equality for all, including the Kurdish community,” Özel explained. “In some areas, they withdrew support due to disagreement. This is political strategy, not a criminal act.”
Public prosecutors have since accused the CHP of forming a ‘terror alliance’, a claim Özel vehemently rejected.
Turning to the arrest of İmamoğlu, Özel rejected claims he was detained in a luxury residence, asserting the villa in question is public property owned by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. He accused former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu of politically motivated smear campaigns and reminded the audience that all alleged ‘terror suspects’ in municipal employment had been acquitted.
Özel continued: “We have seen a political figure admit that accusations were made for political gain. This is not justice, this is slander. We cannot allow such tactics to shape our democratic institutions.”
He reaffirmed CHP’s occupation of Saraçhane, Fatih district, Istanbul, site of daily protests since İmamoğlu’s arrest.
“I will remain in Saraçhane, and our supporters will remain in the streets until we return the mayor’s seat to its rightful, elected occupant.”
Despite heightened police violence targeting peaceful demonstrators and a wide-scale media blackout since 19 March, Özel expressed determination to continue resisting through non-violent means.
Police have used tear gas, water cannons, and batons against demonstrators for the last 6 days in Istanbul, and made hundreds of arrests.
The CHP leader also criticised state media outlets and private news agencies for biased coverage. He announced a boycott of TRT, Turkey’s national broadcaster, and called on municipalities to cancel subscriptions to private agencies IHA and DHA.
In his concluding remarks, Özel issued a final call for citizens to join the evening gatherings at Saraçhane, located near the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. For seven days, tens of thousands have gathered there each evening after iftar during the holy month of Ramadan.
Despite a protest ban by the Istanbul Governor’s Office, ongoing police violence, and extensive press censorship, demonstrators continue to assert their democratic right to peaceful assembly. Özel reiterated the CHP’s commitment to maintaining its presence in Saraçhane until the elected mayor resumes office.
