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A reported internal poll commissioned by Türkiye's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) suggests the party has lost support after a court ruling annulled its 2023 congress and returned former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu to the leadership, Türkiye daily reported Saturday.
The survey found that CHP's support fell by about 7 percentage points after the May 21 court decision, dropping to the 24%-25% range, according to the report.
The report said CHP officials close to Kilicdaroglu argued that the decline was driven by an immediate reaction to the party's internal turmoil and would not be permanent. They said support could recover to around 30% if internal disputes end and the party restores an image of stability.
According to the reported poll results, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) emerged as the leading party.
The report did not provide details on the poll's sample size, fieldwork dates, margin of error, or methodology.
The report also said party officials considered a possible split scenario in which suspended CHP chairperson Ozgur Ozel forms a new party.
Under that scenario, CHP support could fall to 13%-14%, while a party led by Ozel could receive 16%-17%, the report said.
The reported findings come amid a deepening internal crisis in CHP after a court ruling invalidated the party's 38th Ordinary Congress, where Ozel was elected chairperson in 2023, replacing Kilicdaroglu.
The decision led to Kilicdaroglu's return to the post and fueled debate over the party's leadership and future direction.
The CHP continues to grapple with a leadership dispute triggered by the court's decision to invalidate the party's 2023 congress over alleged procedural irregularities and order a new leadership vote.
An Ankara court in May annulled the CHP's 2023 leadership election over allegations of vote buying and reinstated Kilicdaroglu as interim chairman.
The ruling temporarily restored the party's pre-congress administration under Kilicdaroglu to oversee preparations for a fresh congress. CHP officials have denied allegations that the original leadership contest was tainted by misconduct.
The decision sparked protests within the CHP, and party headquarters were briefly surrounded by police following the ruling.
Ozel, who was removed from office under the court decision, has called for an extraordinary congress, arguing that the party cannot be governed under what he described as an imposed leadership.
Political observers cited by Turkish media say Kilicdaroglu now faces mounting pressure to quickly organize a new congress, though questions remain over the timing of the vote and the future balance of power within the party.
The CHP's 2023 congress saw Ozel defeat Kilicdaroglu, ending Kilicdaroglu's more than a decadelong tenure as leader of Türkiye's main opposition party.
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