** Title: Towards an unprecedented political battle in Türkiye: Özgur Özel under the eye of the judicial cyclone **
**Introduction**
The Turkish political scene is again marked by palpable tensions, while Knzgur Özel, the recently re -elected leader of the People’s Republican Party (CHP), finds himself under the fire of the judicial spotlights after having dared to qualify the government as “autocratic” during his speech in Ankara on April 6, 2025. Attempts at the power in place to muzzle the voice of the opposition, and this raises fundamental questions about the state of democracy in Türkiye.
** Insult policy: a repression tool enlightened by figures **
The use of insults to the president in Türkiye is not a new phenomenon. Since the coming to power of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, this offense has been used more than 30,000 times, affecting various segments of the population, ranging from simple citizens to leading political figures. The recurrence of this accusation gives the impression of a strategic arsenal of the State to silence all critical. In addition, it is interesting to compare this situation to other authoritarian regimes where similar accusations are made to stifle the opposition. In Russia, for example, defamation laws have enabled Vladimir Putin to silence his opponents under the cover of state protection.
** Parallels with historical developments **
The speech of Özgur Özel, where he compares the government to a “junta”, refers to an era of Turkish history marked by military coups and authoritarian regimes. This use of the term “junta” is not trivial; It resonates with the memories of a Türkiye where military power has interfered in political affairs, undermining the very principle of democracy. The incarceration of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and weight rival of the AKP, illustrates a return to repressive practices of past decades. In this, the historical context offers precious lighting on current dynamics.
** The impact on democracy and the future of CHP **
The re -election of Özgur Özel at the head of the CHP intervenes at a crucial turning point for the party, which must navigate through this delicate climate while consolidating its image as a credible alternative to the Erdogan regime. The CHP, formerly a symbol of the Kemalist heritage, seeks to redefine itself in the face of a Turkish society constantly evolving, by integrating accounts of diversity and inclusion. The growing popularity of Özgur Özel among young voters could strengthen this dynamic, but this requires courageous positions, like that recently formulated during his speech.
** A fragile balance: reaction of the international community **
Internationally, this new political confrontation arouses questions about the support of Western democracies in the face of authoritarian shift in Türkiye. The European Union, in particular, is in a delicate situation, juggling between its strategic interests in immigration and its fundamental values of democracy. The reaction to the complaint against Özgur Özel could, in this sense, establish a precedent for other countries keen on human rights.
**Conclusion**
In short, the complaint for “insulting the president” brought against Özgur Özel is not just a banal legal episode, but rather a symbol of the struggles for democracy in Türkiye. While the country is at a crossroads between authoritarianism and democratic aspirations, the resistance of opponents, materialized by figures like Özgur Özel, will be crucial for the future of the country. This context raises a fundamental question: to what extent the Turks, and in particular those who support the CHP, will they be ready to defend their democracy in the face of ever more sophisticated maneuvers of repression?
Both national and international actors must keep a vigilant eye on the evolution of these events, because they could very well influence the course of political affairs in Turkey and serve as a model for other authoritarian regimes worldwide. In this era of increased surveillance and judicial repression, the struggle for freedom of expression takes on increased importance, and is transformed into a fundamental issue for the future of a nation.