Turkey's Courts: Just a Tool for Erdogan's 'Democracy'
A Turkish court is set to rule on annulling a 2023 party congress, potentially ousting Ozgur Ozel, leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP). This isn't a 'shaky balance between democracy and autocracy' as Al-Monitor suggests; it's a well-trodden path. President Erdoğan has systematically used the judiciary to sideline opponents, silence media, and consolidate power since the 2016 coup
attempt. Remember when Istanbul's opposition mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, faced a political ban in 2022 over an 'insulting' speech? This is just another chapter in the playbook. One might wonder if any 'democracy' where political opponents are removed via judicial fiat can truly be called a democracy. How many times does Erdoğan need to undermine elections and suppress dissent before it stops being a
'test' and starts being the standard operating procedure?