CHP official tells European Council of Turkey's opposition crackdown

Gökçe Gökçen, a key figure in Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP), has brought international attention to the pressures faced by the opposition and the judiciary in the country. Speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Gökçen detailed what she described as systematic efforts to undermine the CHP.

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Turkey will soon have the main opposition it deserves.

She recounted recent incidents, including the police raid on the CHP's headquarters, the breaking of doors, and the use of pepper spray against individuals inside. Gökçen stated that following this event, nine parliamentary deputies were expelled from the party, and local party officials, including youth and women's branch leaders, were removed from their positions.

Gökçen directly challenged the ruling party's narrative that these events are merely "internal party matters." She recalled President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statement made before a court decision: "Turkey will soon have the main opposition it deserves." Gökçen asserted that the subsequent cancellation of four CHP conventions was not a coincidence but part of a deliberate strategy.

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One month later, not one, not two, but the last four CHP conventions were canceled. Is it a coincidence? Of course not.

Further criticizing the judiciary's politicization, Gökçen pointed to the Justice Minister's public expression of satisfaction immediately after a convention was canceled. She also noted that the same minister was responsible for the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu when he served as Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor. "They are now preparing indictments against members of parliament. The events are that clear," she stated.

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They want the party to exist in form, with its logo, building, bank accounts, buses, and social media accounts... but they do not want it to deviate from the government on any substantive issue.

Gökçen argued that the government's aim is not to ban the CHP outright but to control its substance. "They want the party to exist in form, with its logo, building, bank accounts, buses, and social media accounts... but they do not want it to deviate from the government on any substantive issue," she explained. "They want it to act like an opposition party, but not actually be one. They don't want it to be strong enough to defeat Erdoğan again, as it was two years ago. The plan is that simple." Despite these pressures, Gökçen affirmed the party's resolve, stating that CHP members, mayors, and supporters stand firmly behind their elected leader, Özgür Özel.

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But they did not foresee one thing: we, the CHP's deputies, mayors, supporters, the large crowds in cities and villages, stand resolutely behind our elected leader, Özgür Özel.