Ousted Turkish Opposition Leader Ozel Leads Ankara Protest

Ozgur Ozel, the ousted leader of Turkey's main opposition party, led a massive rally in central Ankara on Saturday, May 30, 2026 ^[1].

The demonstration marks a significant escalation in political tension following a judicial decision to remove Ozel from his leadership role in the Republican People's Party (CHP). This court ruling not only ousted Ozel but also reinstated former party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu ^[3].

Supporters gathered in the heart of the capital to voice their opposition to the court's intervention in party leadership. Reports on the size of the crowd vary, with some estimates placing the number of attendees in the thousands ^[1], while other reports describe the crowd as consisting of tens of thousands of supporters ^[2].

The protest serves as a direct challenge to the legal mechanism that shifted the leadership of the CHP. By organizing a public display of support, Ozel is attempting to maintain his political influence and visibility despite the loss of his official title.

Observers said the rally focused on the legitimacy of the court's decision. The return of Kemal Kilicdaroglu to the leadership position has created a rift within the opposition, as supporters of Ozel view the judicial reversal as an interference in the democratic processes of the party.

The event remained focused on the demand for the reversal of the court's decision. The gathering in central Ankara underscores the volatility of the current political climate in Turkey, where judicial rulings frequently impact the trajectory of major political parties ^[1], ^[2].