Opposition Leader Calls for 'Democracy Watch' After Court Removes Local Party Chiefs

ANKARA — Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel has strongly condemned a court-appointed administrator’s decision to remove several provincial party heads and refer lawmakers for disciplinary action. Özel, head of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), called the moves “a four-sided lawlessness” and urged party members to stand guard at local party headquarters in a “democracy watch.” The dispute follows a court order that placed the CHP under temporary administration loyal to former party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The administrator then dismissed some provincial chairs and launched disciplinary proceedings against certain members of parliament. Özel’s call for a “democracy watch” is a direct challenge to the court-appointed leadership, escalating an internal power struggle that has split Turkey’s largest opposition party. No date has been set for the protest vigils, but party sources say members are expected to begin gathering at affected provincial offices in the coming days.