Newsletters
The Turkish main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel said he does not believe former party chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu would accept a court-appointed trustee role, as the main opposition braces for a critical congress trial on Sept. 15.
Speaking to Sözcü newspaper, Ozel described his recent meeting with Kilicdaroglu. He said the former chairman had refused to meet with Gursel Tekin, who was appointed by court order as CHP Istanbul provincial head, and would not legitimize such interventions.
“From now on I see no possibility of him accepting a trustee role,” Ozel said. “Old and new members together will protect our party.”
The Ankara court will hear the case on the CHP’s 38th Ordinary Congress, held in November 2023. The lawsuit alleges irregularities during the vote and could lead to the congress being annulled — a decision that Kilicdaroglu earlier suggested might open the way for his return as party chairman.
Following the annulment of the CHP Istanbul provincial congress and the removal of its leadership, some legal experts have predicted a similar outcome in Ankara.
Ozel said the party is facing heavy pressure but is determined to resist. He described lawsuits targeting CHP organizations, including the Istanbul branch, and said several members face trials or threats. “We are working with full force,” he said, adding that he often manages on only four hours of sleep a night while maintaining a daily running routine.
The CHP leader welcomed a recent ruling by the Supreme Election Board, saying it ensures congress processes cannot be interrupted even if a trustee is appointed. He also confirmed that delegates themselves initiated the call for an extraordinary congress on Sept. 21, calling it a technical safeguard proposed by election law experts.
1 min read
1 min read
