Turkish riot police forced entry into the Republican People's Party (CHP) headquarters in Ankara on Sunday, May 24, 2026, to evict ousted leadership [1].
The operation marks a volatile escalation in the internal power struggle of Turkey's main opposition party. By using force to install a court-appointed leader, the state has intervened directly in the administrative control of the CHP.
Law enforcement officers broke down doors and deployed tear gas to clear the building [2]. The raid targeted the ousted leadership, including former party leader Özgür Özel, who had remained inside the headquarters despite a legal ruling against his tenure [3].
The police action was intended to enforce a court decision that appointed Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as the party leader [4]. This judicial mandate sought to end a prolonged standoff between Özel and supporters of the court-appointed leadership [4].
Reports regarding the origin of the order vary. One account said that Ankara's governor ordered the police to enter the headquarters [5]. Other reports did not specify who authorized the operation [2].
The CHP headquarters served as the site of the confrontation until the riot police successfully removed the remaining ousted officials [3]. The operation concluded with the physical removal of Özel and his allies from the premises [1].
“Turkish riot police forced entry into the Republican People's Party (CHP) headquarters”
The use of riot police to settle a leadership dispute within the CHP indicates a significant intersection of judicial authority and state security in Turkish politics. By forcibly removing Özgür Özel to install Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the government has demonstrated a willingness to use tactical force to resolve internal party conflicts, potentially altering the dynamics of how the main opposition party operates and challenges the ruling administration.
