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Turkey’s Legal Crackdown on Opposition Sparks Political, Market Turmoil

Legal

Business Honor
04 September, 2025

Court rulings against opposition CHP raise legal concerns and trigger financial instability in Turkey.

A lot of serious worries over the state of democracy in Turkey have been raised by the authorities' recent wave of legal actions against members of the Republican People's Party (CHP), the largest opposition party. Ozgur Celik, the provincial chairman of the CHP in Istanbul was discharged by a court on Tuesday due to unproven irregularities in the party's 2023 congress. CHP leaders swiftly analyzed the action as unlawful and politically motivated. The party intends to contest the verdict, claiming that under Turkish law only the Supreme Election Board has the authority to provide such decisions.

The court's ruling caused an important reaction in Turkey's financial markets. According to reports, the central bank sold $4 to $5 billion in reserves to boost the lira when it faced pressure. The sharp decline in stock markets was a reflection of investor anxiety over the mounting political disturbance. This lawsuit is a part of a larger crackdown that started months ago and has already resulted in the detention of scores of opposition leaders, including a number of mayors from districts controlled by the CHP. When President Erdogan's main opponent, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was detained in March it led to the biggest meetings that Turkey has seen in ten years.

While critics claim that the courts are being used to weaken political opponents, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc defended the judiciary, saying it operates independently. On September 15, an important court ruling in Ankara is expected that might reverse the CHP's national conference and dismiss Ozgur Ozel as party leader. Officials from the European Parliament have cautioned that such actions endanger Turkey's multiparty democracy. Supporters of the CHP are getting ready to take the streets in Istanbul in support of their leaders and demand independent honesty and reasonable treatment under the law as tensions increase.