On May 24, 2026, Turkish riot police used tear gas and rubber bullets to clear the headquarters of the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), in Ankara. This intervention followed a recent court decision that ousted CHP leader Özgür Özel and reinstated former chair Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The court’s ruling, which cited irregularities in Özel's election, further ignited tensions in Turkish politics, leading to accusations of a “judicial coup.”

The police arrived to enforce the court ruling after Özel and his supporters had barricaded themselves inside the building for several days. Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as the police breached the barricades, resulting in conflicts between supporters of Özel and Kilicdaroglu.

Following the eviction, Özel emerged to declare that the CHP would continue its political struggle from the streets, promising to mobilize supporters against the ruling party led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The current political climate, marked by increasing legal challenges against opposition figures, fuels concerns of authoritarianism as Erdoğan seeks to consolidate power.

Critics, including Human Rights Watch, have condemned the Turkish government for undermining democracy through aggressive legal tactics aimed at silencing dissent. As tensions continue to mount, observers suggest that these developments could significantly impact the political landscape leading up to the next general elections, scheduled for 2028.

The government's claim of judicial independence contrasts sharply with ongoing opposition claims, creating a volatile atmosphere as rival factions prepare for future confrontations.