Preventing the opposition: Erdogan imposes his power on the Turks and threatens journalists

The Turkish regime is facing increasing difficulties at the domestic level, where the number of MPs in the Justice and Development Party decreased in parliament, in addition to the decline of party members by 56 thousand people and the fact that security forces continue to suppress the opposition parties.

The Turkish newspaper T24 said that the party’s supporters, including its deputies, tried to distribute leaflets in Istanbul’s Istiklal Street to surprise the security forces besieging them from all sides, stressing that the supporters of the Kurdish party expressed their condemnation of the behavior of the security forces.

They said, “The move is an indication of their fear of using our rights guaranteed by the constitution.”

In the same context, clashes erupted between the security forces and a number of journalists who were accompanying supporters of the opposition Kurdish party, where police threatened journalists with imprisonment if they tried to photograph and document what is happening.

“Turkish people see with your eyes the narrowing we are facing in this country, preventing us from inviting you to attend our party conference in the Kucuk region,” said Zeynal Ozan, Istanbul Democratic Representative in a speech to passersby after the police broke the march.

“The world can see what is going on here. These practices are proof that this country does not enjoy peace, freedom or democracy. We believe that these days will pass. Tomorrow all those who violated the laws will be held accountable,” said Ali Kanaanoglu, the party’s deputy from Istanbul, in a speech.

It is noteworthy that the provinces of eastern and southeastern Turkey, predominantly Kurdish, are witnessing security violations under the pretext of chasing the PKK, where the authorities occasionally launch large-scale arrests targeting the Kurds.

Repression of Justice and Development

Meanwhile, the website of the Turkish newspaper Yeni Jag highlighted the decline in the number of MPs in the ruling Justice and Development Party to 290 deputies after the resignation of Istanbul deputy Mustafa Yeniroglu under pressure from Erdogan.

Erdogan was forced to resign for criticizing his policies. He is one of the most critical voices within the party and the first MP to resign from the AKP since he won a slim majority with a nationalist party in last year’s elections.

The MP said: “I expressed my opinion to the Turks inside and outside the party that I do not feel comfortable with the policies of my party; especially with regard to human rights violations and damage to democratic institutions.”

The Yeni Jag website said that the number of independent deputies rose after the resignation of Yeniroglu because he did not announce joining any other party, and the distribution of deputies as follows: 290 for justice and development, 139 for the Republican people, 62 for the democratic peoples, 49 for the National Movement, 39 for the Good Party, 2 for the Happiness Party, 2 for the Turkish Workers Party, and a deputy for both the Grand Union Party and the Democratic Party.