Lawmakers from Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) staged a protest in the Grand National Assembly (TBMM) on Tuesday following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and dozens of others. Parliamentary proceedings were suspended until Wednesday after CHP lawmakers refused to leave the podium.
The detentions came as part of a probe into corruption and urban consensus allegations, with arrest warrants issued for 106 suspects, including İmamoğlu. Tensions ran high in Ankara as the investigation unfolded.
CNN Türk correspondent Melike Görür reported that the parliamentary session was halted after CHP lawmakers occupied the podium for a second time, prompting Speaker Sırrı Süreyya Önder to adjourn proceedings. “CHP Group Deputy Chair Ali Mahir Başarır took the floor as soon as Parliament convened and made a statement regarding İmamoğlu’s detention. CHP deputies then took to the podium, remaining there even after a 20-minute recess,” Görür said.
Following the adjournment, CHP lawmakers decided to march to party headquarters.
Journalist Güngör Yavuzaslan commented on the ongoing protests, noting that CHP lawmakers had previously staged demonstrations after a ruling concerning İmamoğlu’s academic credentials. “Looking at their social media, it seems these protests will continue. While political actions like this are not uncommon, I don’t find it appropriate to disrupt parliamentary activities. However, they are expressing their reaction in their own way,” Yavuzaslan said.
The Istanbul Governor’s Office has imposed a four-day protest ban, but the TBMM remains a platform for political discourse.
