Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, a key ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has warned that ongoing street protests across Turkey could lead to violent confrontations with government supporters.
In a statement published Monday by the pro-MHP newspaper Türkgün, Bahçeli said continued demonstrations could spark a counter-response from loyalist groups, potentially escalating into nationwide clashes.
“If those urged to take to the streets are confronted, as on July 15 [2016], how will conflict be prevented?” Bahçeli said, referencing the night of the failed coup when Erdoğan supporters clashed with soldiers. “If TV channels calling for protests are attacked, how will the provocateurs bear the consequences?”
His comments come as Turkey experiences its largest wave of public demonstrations in over a decade, following the March 19 detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The popular opposition leader and Erdoğan’s most formidable political rival was arrested on corruption charges just one day after the annulment of his university diploma. He has also been suspended from office following his formal arrest on March 23.
His detention and subsequent imprisonment have sparked protests in major cities and on university campuses. Nearly 2,000 people have been detained nationwide, including journalists, activists, and students.. Human rights organizations have criticized the government’s response, citing excessive use of force, mass arrests, and restrictions on freedom of assembly.
Bahçeli directly blamed the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) for fueling the unrest.
“These protests are not democratic expressions but calculated provocations aimed at disturbing public order,” he said, accusing the CHP of attempting to destabilize the government after electoral setbacks.
The MHP leader also defended the government’s crackdown on protests, citing Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which allows for restrictions in the name of public order and national security.
Bahçeli has not been seen in public since undergoing heart surgery in early February, fueling speculation about his health. No recent photos, videos, or audio recordings have been released, leading to rumors about his condition.
He also accused the CHP of betraying the legacy of its founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and aligning with foreign interests. “Whenever it fails to win power through elections, the CHP resorts to civil disobedience,” Bahçeli said, warning that opposition leaders who incite unrest will be held accountable if tensions escalate.
The protests, largely led by youth and university students, have drawn widespread attention. Lawyers and opposition figures report cases of mistreatment in custody, including overcrowded cells, beatings, and denial of access to legal representation and family members.
