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Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is preparing for a pivotal court hearing on Sept. 15 (Monday) that could determine the fate of its leadership and the validity of its recent congresses.
The case could annul Chairman Ozgur Ozel’s election, reinstate former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, or force the party into new internal polls.
The Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance previously annulled the party’s 38th Ordinary Istanbul Provincial Congress, held in October 2023, dismissing Provincial Chair Celik and the provincial board and appointing Gursel Tekin to lead a temporary committee.
The upcoming case concerns the annulment of the extraordinary congress in which Ozel defeated Kilicdaroglu. Plaintiffs, including former Hatay Metropolitan Mayor Lutfu Savas, allege election irregularities and are demanding a “null and void” ruling.
Postponement with no injunction
For the CHP leadership, this is considered the most favorable scenario. A delay—either through further postponement of the hearing or by finding the claims insufficient—would allow the current administration to continue functioning without disruption.
Party executives say this would let them focus on criminal investigations targeting municipalities and ongoing political work.
Many within the party believe the Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance will likely postpone the hearing rather than rule immediately. Recent decisions by the Supreme Election Council (YSK) rejecting similar challenges have strengthened this expectation.
Postponement with injunction
Another possibility is a postponement coupled with an injunction against the administration. In this case, the leadership elected at the 38th Ordinary Congress could be suspended from office until the case is resolved.
However, the court has previously rejected requests for injunctions in similar hearings, leading many to see this scenario as less likely. Still, such a ruling would immediately unsettle the party’s internal balance.
Absolute nullity ruling
This is the scenario most often discussed in political circles and the media. If the court rules that the Congress was an “absolute nullity,” the election that brought Ozel to the chairmanship would be invalidated, stripping the current administration of its authority. Plaintiffs have explicitly sought this outcome, which could theoretically restore Kilicdaroglu and his team.
Yet legal experts speaking to the Turkish media caution that the Political Parties Law does not explicitly provide for “absolute nullity” rulings, making such a decision legally controversial. Even if the court issues the ruling, the decision would need to survive an appeal before becoming final. That raises the likelihood of a trustee being appointed rather than immediately handing control back to the previous leadership.
Meanwhile, some speculate Kilicdaroglu could be named trustee, though others warn the court might choose someone else since he is a party to the case.
Appointment of call committee
The court could appoint a call committee to convene a new congress without waiting for the outcome of criminal cases.
In that case, the committee would be required to act quickly and organize an extraordinary congress within 45 days.
Such a move would give CHP members the chance to resolve the leadership question through fresh elections.
1 min read
Amid the uncertainty, CHP has accelerated preparations for its 39th Ordinary Congress. Local delegate elections are nearly complete, district congresses are underway, and provincial congresses are scheduled for Sept. 21.
Party strategists believe pushing ahead with these processes could blunt the impact of any annulment ruling.
The leadership has also mobilized extraordinary measures as a safeguard.
Over 400 provincial delegates have signed notarized petitions to convene an extraordinary provincial congress, with a target of over 500 signatures.
On the national level, delegates have begun collecting signatures for an extraordinary congress, ensuring that if the annulment is upheld, the party can hold fresh elections without delay.
4 min read
