Turkey Tactical: CHP’s Extraordinary Congress underway ahead of rally at 16:00 on April 6 at Ankara’s Nazim Hikmet Cultural Center; maintain heightened vigilance

Apr 2025

8:10 UTC

The Republican People’s Party (CHP) Extraordinary Congress is underway as of the morning hours (local time) on April 6 at the Nazim Hikmet Cultural Center in Ankara’s Yenimahalle district.
The Congress will determine the party’s Chairman, currently held by Ozgur Ozel, select a 60-person Party Assembly, and determine a 24-seat High Disciplinary board. If a majority is not reached in the first round, a second vote will be held at 13:00.
The CHP will subsequently hold a rally for supporters from 16:00 outside the Nazim Hikmet Cultural Center.

Source: CHP

Ozel’s decision to hold an Extraordinary Congress reportedly aims to prevent government intervention and the appointment of a trustee in the party amid an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in his own election as CHP Chairman in 2023. This likely reflects heightened concerns following Imamoglu’s detention and the recurring replacement of other CHP Mayors in previous months with government appointees amid ongoing investigations into corruption and alleged terrorism links. This will also aim to bolster public perceptions of the CHP’s legitimacy to sustain the momentum of anti-government protests.
FORECAST: Based on precedent, with previous prominent CHP rallies following Imamoglu’s detention garnering turnouts in the hundreds of thousands, the slated rally is likely to similarly see strong participation in the thousands. While the gathering is anticipated to proceed peacefully, localized unrest cannot be ruled out if demonstrators are perceived as engaging in unruly or disruptive behavior. Traffic disruptions may be recorded along nearby thoroughfares such as Bagdat Road and Anadolu Boulevard due to the slated rally. Demonstrations in support of the CHP and Imamoglu may also materialize in other Turkish cities, including Istanbul and Izmir, where authorities may intervene if protesters are deemed to be behaving in an unruly manner.

Those operating or residing in Ankara on April 6 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance near the Nazim Hikmet Cultural Center due to the CHP Congress and rally.
Maintain heightened vigilance across Turkey on April 6 due to the potential for additional gatherings nationwide, including in Istanbul and Izmir, in support of Imamoglu and the CHP.
Avoid the vicinity of anti-government protests associated with Imamoglu’s detention due to the associated risk of unrest and detention.

Medium

Nazim Hikmet Cultural Center, Ankara; Turkey

Medium

Confirmed

The Republican People’s Party (CHP) Extraordinary Congress is underway as of the morning hours (local time) on April 6 at the Nazim Hikmet Cultural Center in Ankara’s Yenimahalle district.
The Congress will determine the party’s Chairman, currently held by Ozgur Ozel, select a 60-person Party Assembly, and determine a 24-seat High Disciplinary board. If a majority is not reached in the first round, a second vote will be held at 13:00.
The CHP will subsequently hold a rally for supporters from 16:00 outside the Nazim Hikmet Cultural Center.

Source: CHP

Ozel’s decision to hold an Extraordinary Congress reportedly aims to prevent government intervention and the appointment of a trustee in the party amid an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in his own election as CHP Chairman in 2023. This likely reflects heightened concerns following Imamoglu’s detention and the recurring replacement of other CHP Mayors in previous months with government appointees amid ongoing investigations into corruption and alleged terrorism links. This will also aim to bolster public perceptions of the CHP’s legitimacy to sustain the momentum of anti-government protests.
FORECAST: Based on precedent, with previous prominent CHP rallies following Imamoglu’s detention garnering turnouts in the hundreds of thousands, the slated rally is likely to similarly see strong participation in the thousands. While the gathering is anticipated to proceed peacefully, localized unrest cannot be ruled out if demonstrators are perceived as engaging in unruly or disruptive behavior. Traffic disruptions may be recorded along nearby thoroughfares such as Bagdat Road and Anadolu Boulevard due to the slated rally. Demonstrations in support of the CHP and Imamoglu may also materialize in other Turkish cities, including Istanbul and Izmir, where authorities may intervene if protesters are deemed to be behaving in an unruly manner.

Those operating or residing in Ankara on April 6 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance near the Nazim Hikmet Cultural Center due to the CHP Congress and rally.
Maintain heightened vigilance across Turkey on April 6 due to the potential for additional gatherings nationwide, including in Istanbul and Izmir, in support of Imamoglu and the CHP.
Avoid the vicinity of anti-government protests associated with Imamoglu’s detention due to the associated risk of unrest and detention.

Medium

Nazim Hikmet Cultural Center, Ankara; Turkey

Medium

Confirmed

Protest