There were concerns that the government would stop the action by force, citing the ongoing state of emergency declared after the 2016 foiled coup. But it did not. On the contrary, at least on the first day, the police dispersed a small group trying to attack the marchers in the streets of Ankara. This shows that – at least for now – President Tayyip Erdoğan and the AK Parti government is well aware of the sensitivity of the situation.

What the CHP is attempting is a new experience in Turkey, demonstrating once again the always surprising nature of Turkish politics.