May Day celebrations unfolded with dual narratives - massive authorized rallies in Kadıköy and Kartal where "tens of thousands" gathered against the "one-man regime," while police arrested 409 people attempting to reach banned Taksim Square. The contrast between permitted and prohibited demonstrations revealed continuing tensions around Turkey's political geography.

The Istanbul Municipality corruption investigation continued with CHP's bus driver placed under house arrest. As politicians exchanged barbs, Minister Kurum told CHP leader Özel to "remove the blindfold from his eyes," while Minister Uraloğlu reaffirmed commitment to the controversial Canal Istanbul project.

In Northern Cyprus, TEKNOFEST opened with celebrations referencing the 1974 intervention, as Bayraktar called it "the seed of a fair world." The day ended with reports of an armed attack on CHP officials in Konya ahead of a planned rally, with conflicting accounts about the incident from authorities.