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Türkiye's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) awaits a potentially game-changing court decision on Monday that could overturn its current leadership and invalidate recent party congresses, with the ruling expected to trigger immediate political consequences.
The Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance will hear the fifth session at 10:00 a.m. local time in a lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of the party's 38th Ordinary Congress held Nov. 4-5, 2023, and the 21st Extraordinary Congress on April 6, 2025.
The court may issue several possible rulings, including absolute nullity, which would remove the current party administration led by Chairman Ozgur Ozel and potentially restore former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu to power.
CHP's Central Executive Committee (MYK) will convene simultaneously at party headquarters under Ozel's leadership to strategize responses to various court scenarios.
Party officials will monitor proceedings from headquarters rather than attending court.
"The general chairman manages from wherever he is located. He can lead from home or his office," party sources said, indicating flexibility in leadership location if changes occur.
According to the pro-opposition Sozcu report, the 102-year-old party has reportedly stockpiled 3,000 gas masks, lemons, biscuits and pasta in preparation for potential police intervention similar to recent events at the Istanbul provincial headquarters.
Party management has decided not to vacate the building until the scheduled Extraordinary Congress on Sept. 21, regardless of the court's decision on absolute nullity, appointment of a calling committee, or injunction orders.
Sources cited by the Türkiye daily state that people close to Kilicdaroglu express certainty about an absolute nullity ruling.
The former chairman reportedly will not immediately visit party headquarters if reinstated, preferring to avoid images of a police escort.
Kilicdaroglu has indicated he would not run for party leadership at any future ordinary or extraordinary congress, according to party insiders.
An absolute nullity ruling would affect delegate legitimacy, potentially impacting the scheduled extraordinary congress.
The controversial nature of such a decision could lead to the postponement or cancellation of the planned gathering.
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Party sources anticipate the emergence of an "official chairman" versus "current chairman" duality following the court decision, creating potential administrative complications.
Ozel and his team plan to maintain a continuous presence at headquarters through a rotation system, even if they are removed from the office, to continue operations until the extraordinary congress on Sept. 21.
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