CHP Faces Challenges Amid Crackdown in Turkey

Thousands of residents in the eastern Turkish city of Van have taken to the streets to protest the arrest of their mayor, a member of the pro-Kurdish DEM party, who has been detained on terrorism charges. The protests, characterized by shouts, whistles, and raised middle fingers, have drawn significant police presence, leading to clashes and street blockades.

In recent times, many mayors across Turkey have faced similar fates, especially in the eastern regions where such legal actions have become commonplace. However, the trend has recently extended to the western parts of the country, including Istanbul, Turkey's financial hub. Here, the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), achieved historic victories in the municipal elections held nearly a year ago, now governing areas that encompass 62% of the Turkish population and contribute approximately 73% of the nation's GDP.

Mayorships in Turkey serve as vital financial assets for political parties. Typically, when a mayor is removed, a government-appointed trustee takes over, gaining control over municipal finances. This has resulted in various mayors being accused of embezzlement or manipulating public tenders, accusations that mirror the claims the opposition has long made against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Allegations against some mayors also include ties to the PKK, a group designated as a terrorist organization. Despite calls from Abdullah Öcalan, the founder of the PKK, for the dissolution of the organization, its official status remains unchanged. Nonetheless, the prospect of amnesty for PKK members or their supporters looks bleak, and many opposition figures believe that these legal actions are politically motivated, aimed at displacing as many mayors as possible from their roles.

A recent law enables the government to remove any public servant without a court decision, raising further concerns about the political motivations behind such dismissals. Analysts suggest that this is part of a broader strategy to weaken and intimidate the opposition, reinforcing the narrative that Erdogan's administration is the only viable option. Although elections are scheduled for 2028, Erdogan's potential candidacy remains uncertain due to constitutional limitations barring him from a third consecutive term.

In light of the country's deteriorating economic conditions, the CHP is advocating for early elections, believing they have a favorable chance. The minimum wage often falls below the poverty line, business bankruptcies have doubled compared to previous years, and enforcement actions against those unable to repay credit card debts have surged by over 60% in the past year.

Public dissatisfaction with the government is evident, with recent polls indicating that Erdogan is trailing an opposition candidate by approximately ten percentage points, despite the latter not yet being officially nominated. The CHP has now selected Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a prominent symbol of opposition, to challenge Erdogan. However, Imamoglu himself is facing numerous legal challenges that could result in disqualification from politics.

While Imamoglu continues to campaign across the country despite the absence of an official election period, he has echoed sentiments of resilience against governmental oppression. Other opposition leaders are also leveraging these external pressures to foster a spirit of solidarity among their supporters.

However, internal divisions within the CHP complicate these efforts. For instance, Burcu Köksal, the first female mayor of Afyonkarahisar, opted not to join protests due to the presence of members from the pro-Kurdish DEM party, highlighting the party's nationalist factions that resist collaboration with pro-Kurdish entities. Köksal is also known for her anti-immigrant stance, which some believe contributed to her electoral success. She has implemented policies that effectively segregate migrants in her municipality, ruling against their access to subsidized meals.

While Köksal's hardline views have attracted criticism from within her party, it showcases the ideological rifts that challenge the CHP's unity. The party's leadership includes figures like Mansur Yavas, the popular mayor of Ankara, who could emerge as a presidential candidate if Imamoglu is incapacitated by legal troubles.

Moreover, a faction led by former CHP leader Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, who lost the previous presidential election to Erdogan, appears to be undermining Imamoglu's leadership. A lawsuit concerning alleged corruption in the party elections could further destabilize the current leadership, which largely supports Imamoglu.

The most significant hurdle for the opposition is not solely the government's crackdown but rather the internal conflicts that threaten their collective strength.