Özel’s resistance salute atop a police vehicle during the march to Parliament after being forced out of CHP headquarters through the police intervention reportedly requested by Kılıçdaroğlu looks set to become one of the defining images of the moment.
I am writing this fully aware that Özgür Özel may now face every conceivable obstacle ahead of him — from expulsion from the CHP to the lifting of his parliamentary immunity and even imprisonment. Yet the “absolute nullity” ruling issued by the judiciary does not appear likely to benefit either Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who has been returned to the head of the CHP by court order, or President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Especially after the police raid on CHP headquarters on May 24, reportedly at Kılıçdaroğlu’s request, and the developments that followed, Özel’s political rise has continued.
While pro-Kılıçdaroğlu deputies who entered CHP headquarters under police protection were reportedly offering chocolates to one another, Özel began marching toward Parliament under torrential rain. Climbing onto an armored riot control water cannon vehicle (TOMA) brought there to block them, he raised his fist in a gesture of resistance. Furious commentators instantly flooded social media accusing him of “putting on a show.”
But as he walked, the crowd behind him kept growing. Soaked to the skin in the rain, he addressed thousands gathered at National Sovereignty Park in front of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), declaring: “From now on, our headquarters is Parliament. We will continue this struggle from here, in the streets and the squares.”
One of his first meetings in Parliament was with Mansur Yavaş — a significant move.
Özel’s Leadership Profile
One of Özel’s defining traits is that he does not try to act like an untouchable “big brother” figure.
He is hardworking; constantly on the move and pushing the party organization to keep pace. Following the detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu in 2025, he held two rallies every week, except for a few travel breaks — something rarely seen in Turkish politics.
He is sometimes criticized for talking too much, and that occasionally leads to mistakes. But he often corrects himself and keeps moving forward.
He is resilient; he does not give up. Rumors, including about his private life, have circulated widely, but he appears unfazed.
He is fearless; at times he gives off too much of a “street kid” vibe, but he does not shy away from confrontation.
He is loyal; he knows his life would be far easier if he abandoned İmamoğlu or the imprisoned CHP figures. His first instinct is protective — “Our people wouldn’t do such a thing.” Even when some may not deserve it, he refuses to betray his comrades.
With Kılıçdaroğlu reinstated as CHP chairman by court order, it now seems impossible for İmamoğlu to become the CHP’s presidential candidate — even if judicial proceedings eventually turn in his favor. But İmamoğlu now understands that even his own release depends on the success of what Özel calls his “march toward power.”
And the same can be said for Selahattin Demirtaş and Osman Kavala.
Erdoğan Did Not Expect This
After the 2024 local elections, Erdoğan realized that a CHP led by Özel and preparing İmamoğlu as its presidential candidate would not be easy to defeat in the next elections. So he moved to Plan B.
That plan was to fracture the CHP.
The judicial operations began with İmamoğlu, seen as the primary target.
At the same time, the “absolute nullity” case — coordinated by some figures around Kılıçdaroğlu from within the CHP — was continuing. The aim was to have the 2023 CHP congress, won by Özel, declared legally void.
Erdoğan anticipated the kinds of mistakes İmamoğlu might make; chief among them was announcing his candidacy prematurely.
What he likely did not foresee, however, was that Özel would, from day one, mobilize the CHP organization — long kept deliberately away from street politics — into the streets and public squares in direct confrontation.
On the surface, Kılıçdaroğlu appears to have won: he will once again sit in the CHP chair that he reclaimed through court orders and police force. It seems almost certain that a serious purge will follow, with expulsions coming one after another. He will probably postpone the party congress as long as possible, if he can withstand mounting pressure from within the party.
But in the long run, the real winner may well be Özel. In the eyes of the public, his political star continues to rise.
