• Over 50,000 protestors gathered in Ankara opposing a court case against the main opposition party, CHP.
• CHP leader Ozgur Ozel claims the case is part of a political move to undermine democratic norms.
• The court's decision could influence the timing of Turkey's next general election set for 2028.
• Imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's message of solidarity was shared during the rally.

Tens of thousands of people, at least 50,000 according to organization figures, protested in Ankara on September 14 against a upcoming court case that could potentially oust the leader of Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP). The demonstration, held in the capital's Tandogan Square, featured crowds waving Turkish flags and chanting for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's resignation, creating a massive show of defiance against the government, as reported by Reuters and Le Monde.

The protest coincided with a crucial court hearing scheduled for the following day, which seeks to invalidate the results of a November 2023 congress that elected Ozel as the party leader on grounds of alleged vote-rigging. Critics argue that this case represents a politically motivated assault on the CHP, particularly after the party’s significant victories in the 2024 local elections against Erdogan's AKP, underscoring a rising momentum for the opposition, according to Dawn, Reuters, and Le Monde.

CHP leader Ozel addressed the crowd, asserting that the government's actions represent a "judicial coup" aimed at suppressing democracy. He emphasized the government's intent to maintain power by undermining democratic norms, stating, "This government does not want democracy. They know they cannot win the elections if there is democracy," as highlighted by Dawn and Reuters.

Further intensifying the atmosphere at the rally, a letter from imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was read aloud, reinforcing the opposition's unity and resolve. Imamoglu criticized the government's efforts to marginalize legitimate political opponents and declared, "The era of 'I' in this country will end, and the era of 'we' will begin," a message that resonated with the crowd, leading them to chant "President Imamoglu," according to Reuters, Le Monde, and Dawn.

The implications of the court's ruling extend beyond party leadership, potentially reshaping political dynamics in Turkey and influencing financial markets in the lead-up to general elections scheduled for 2028. The government has arrested over 500 individuals in a crackdown over the past year, adding to the tensions surrounding the upcoming court case and protests from the CHP, as detailed by Dawn and Reuters.