The People’s Democratic Congress (HDK), one of the largest umbrella organisations of the Turkish opposition, has officially called on Özgür Özel, the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), to take part in this year’s Newroz celebrations in Istanbul. The Newroz event, scheduled for 23 March at the Yenikapı rally site, will be held under the slogan “Democratic Society for Freedom” and aims to unite one million participants.
Ali Kenanoğlu, co-spokesperson of the HDK, stressed the importance of bringing together all pro-democracy and labour groups for Newroz, which is traditionally celebrated by Kurdish communities and their allies. According to Kenanoğlu, Newroz 2025 coincides with the anniversary of Abdullah Öcalan’s key statements and represents a significant moment of “change and transformation” for the Kurdish and Middle Eastern communities. CHP leader Özgür Özel was invited to attend the Newroz festivities, Kenanoğlu noted, explaining that the HDK sees the celebration as a way to “protect people’s will and resist coups”.
The HDK’s invitation focuses on the recent arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. He was taken into custody on 19 March on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist organisation. Kenanoğlu described it as tantamount to a “coup” against the will of Istanbul residents.
İmamoğlu has frequently collaborated with the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, particularly in electoral alliances that helped him secure three major victories against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Critics see the investigation as a possible move by the AKP to appoint a government trustee (kayyım) to Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality – a major blow to local governance.
Related Articles:
Erdoğan’s attempt to eliminate main rival İmamoğlu met with harsh response
Turkish opposition decries ‘coup attempt’ after arrest of Erdoğan’s main competitor İmamoğlu
Turkey arrests President Erdoğan’s main competitor, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in dawn raid
Kenanoğlu emphasised that the invitation to Özel to attend the Newroz celebrations reflects a broader objective: to uphold the electoral will of Istanbul’s residents and to resist what they perceive as “anti-democratic interventions”. CHP sources have confirmed that while the party will certainly be represented in Istanbul, Özel’s personal presence is still up in the air. A final decision on his participation is expected soon.
