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Türkiye's Constitutional Court (AYM) rejected a request to invalidate the name of the main opposition New Party (Yeni Parti) on Wednesday, ruling by an 8-4 majority that the political party can retain its name.
The court dismissed an application seeking to "declare Yeni Parti's name and abbreviation invalid and remove them from the political parties registry."
The high court examined the application during its general assembly meeting Wednesday over allegations that New Party's name violated Political Parties Law No. 2820.
Following deliberations, the court rejected the challenge by a majority vote, allowing the party to continue operating under its existing name.
The dispute began after Yeni Parti was established, when the Innovation Party (Yenilik Partisi) filed an application with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office of the Court of Cassation, citing similarities between the two parties' names.
The prosecutor's office subsequently instructed New Party to change its name because of the potential for confusion, setting a Sept. 18 deadline for compliance.
After New Party failed to make the requested change, prosecutors referred the matter to the Constitutional Court.
At its Sept. 29 general assembly meeting, the high court reviewed the case and granted Yeni Parti one month to submit its defense.
The party prepared and submitted its defense within the specified period.
Meanwhile, prosecutors presented their final opinion Wednesday in a separate criminal case involving the opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) 38th Ordinary Congress.
Prosecutors sought prison sentences ranging from one to three years for nine defendants, including suspended Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Riza Akpolat and Ozgur Celik, on charges of "electoral fraud" under Article 112 of the Political Parties Law.
They also requested separate penalties under Article 37/1 of the Turkish Penal Code, which governs participation in a criminal offense.
Prosecutors sought the acquittal of three other defendants: Cemil Tugay, Huseyin Yasar and Ozgen Nama.
The criminal case stems from allegations that delegates were offered money and political positions to influence the CHP's November 2023 leadership congress, in which Ozgur Ozel defeated Kemal Kilicdaroglu to become leader of Türkiye's then-main opposition party.
In a separate civil case, an Ankara appeals court annulled the congress on May 21, 2026, provisionally removing Ozel and reinstating Kilicdaroglu.
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