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Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has entered a new and uncertain phase after a court annulled the party’s 2023 congress and restored Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu to office, triggering an escalating struggle over the party’s leadership, institutional control and political future.
The ruling, issued under the legal principle of “absolute nullity,” invalidated the congress that brought Ozgur Ozel to power in November 2023 and reinstated CHP’s pre-congress administration on an interim basis until a new congress is organized.
The decision effectively created two competing centers inside the party: Kilicdaroglu’s restored authority at CHP headquarters and Ozel’s camp built around the parliamentary group, party organizations and calls for a rapid extraordinary congress.
Kilicdaroglu is expected to return to party headquarters on May 30 for a public gathering with supporters before chairing key party meetings after the Eid holiday.
According to party figures, Kilicdaroglu will first appear at CHP headquarters during a public event on May 30 and is expected to chair Party Assembly (PM) and High Disciplinary Board (YDK) meetings after the holiday.
Preparations are also underway for the formation of a new Central Executive Board (MYK), although party figures say names have not yet been finalized.
Reports that lawmakers aligned with Ozel had already been placed on expulsion lists were denied by figures close to Kilicdaroglu.
According to Turkish media reports, citing party sources, the immediate priority was convening party bodies, while disciplinary issues would be evaluated later.
“Until now we observed what everyone did. Our priority is convening the bodies. Disciplinary processes may begin afterward,” figures close to the leadership said.
Speculation over disciplinary mechanisms has emerged as another fault line inside the party.
According to remarks relayed by TGRT Haber Ankara Representative Fatih Atik following his face-to-face meeting with Kilicdaroglu, internal commissions may be established and disciplinary procedures could eventually be launched concerning party figures facing allegations.
Atik also reported that detained mayors’ indictments could be reviewed by legal teams, although no official party decision has been announced.
At the same time, party figures denied reports that expulsion lists had already been prepared, saying no such work was currently underway.
Another aspect reported by TGRT Haber Ankara Representative Atik concerns the future of the presidential candidate office established under Ozel’s leadership for former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
According to Atik, figures close to Kilicdaroglu indicated one of the new leadership’s first steps could be shutting down the office, which they described as having functioned as a parallel structure.
Ozel’s administration had backed Imamoglu as the party’s prospective presidential candidate for the next elections. After Imamoglu, widely seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s strongest political challenger, was detained and removed from office over corruption allegations, CHP established the office to continue preparations linked to his presidential bid and campaign activities.
The potential move is also being interpreted in party circles as an indication that Kilicdaroglu does not support continuing the presidential candidacy framework built around Imamoglu under Ozel’s leadership.
The report also said the fate of party “shadow ministers” established under the previous administration was under discussion.
No formal party decision has yet been announced on the issue.
The struggle has expanded beyond party headquarters into parliamentary structures.
After losing the party chairmanship, Ozel consolidated support inside the parliamentary group and was elected group chairman.
However, figures close to Kilicdaroglu challenged the move.
According to Atik, Kilicdaroglu’s team held discussions with the Speaker’s Office and was told Ozel’s parliamentary group chairmanship was invalid.
The same report claimed parliamentary records could later be updated and Ozel may no longer be able to use the title.
The Turkish Parliament has not publicly commented on the claim.
The biggest battle between the two camps concerns the timing of a new congress.
Ozel has insisted the crisis must be resolved through an extraordinary congress as quickly as possible.
Under CHP bylaws, an extraordinary congress can be convened by the chairman, Party Assembly majority or delegate signatures.
However, figures close to Kilicdaroglu argue that the Court of Cassation appeal process and interim legal measures may prevent a congress before judicial proceedings conclude.
“There is currently a Court of Cassation process and interim injunction decision. The party cannot hold a congress before the process is completed,” CHP lawmaker Hasan Ozturkmen said.
Ozel’s camp rejects that interpretation and argues the crisis can only be solved through a rapid delegate vote.
Whether CHP will move quickly toward a new congress has emerged as another point of disagreement between the two camps.
Ozel has repeatedly called for a rapid extraordinary congress, arguing the crisis should be resolved through a fresh vote.
Figures close to Kilicdaroglu, however, have avoided giving a clear timetable and say the issue will be evaluated in the coming period as legal proceedings continue.
Ozel publicly rejected creating a new party and vowed to continue the struggle inside CHP.
Ozel rejected suggestions of leaving the party despite describing the current situation as the emergence of “two CHPs.”
Speaking to Turkish media outlet T24, Ozel said there was now an “elected CHP” and an “appointed CHP” but insisted his camp would remain inside the party.
“We will stay,” Ozel said
However, party insiders increasingly discuss a split scenario if congress efforts fail and disciplinary mechanisms intensify.
Several figures have reportedly signaled they would not continue politics under a renewed Kilicdaroglu leadership.
Various scenarios are also being discussed inside party circles regarding what such a split could look like.
Among them are claims that figures close to Ozel and former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who is now in jail, could eventually move toward a new political formation if efforts to force an extraordinary congress fail.
One name increasingly circulating in Ankara political circles is a possible movement or party structure built around the theme of “October” (Ekim), though no official initiative or public preparation has been announced.
Party circles increasingly describe the crisis as evolving into a three-way structure:
Some lawmakers reportedly support Kilicdaroglu’s return while simultaneously demanding a swift congress.
Party figures warn prolonged tensions could deepen internal divisions and weaken the opposition ahead of future elections.
Another scenario increasingly discussed inside CHP is whether Kilicdaroglu may choose not to run at the next congress.
Party insiders say such a move could lower tensions while remaining consistent with his stated goal of bringing the party to a “safe harbor.”
No formal signal has emerged from Kilicdaroglu regarding a possible candidacy.
Despite regaining the chairmanship and institutional control of CHP headquarters, Kilicdaroglu may still face challenges in translating legal authority into political dominance.
Party insiders say parliamentary balances remain one of the biggest obstacles.
Speculation has emerged that former party spokesman Faik Oztrak could eventually replace Ozel as parliamentary group chairman, though figures inside CHP acknowledge such a move would be difficult under current parliamentary dynamics.
The Party Assembly is also seen as another critical arena where both camps are preparing for influence battles.
The crisis has evolved into a broader struggle over legitimacy, with both camps accusing each other of undermining party democracy and opposition unity.
Figures aligned with Kilicdaroglu argue the ruling confirmed long-standing allegations surrounding the 2023 congress and restored legal legitimacy inside the party.
The lawsuits that triggered the ruling alleged vote buying, political favors offered to delegates and procedural violations affecting the integrity of the leadership vote.
Plaintiffs argued the alleged irregularities compromised the legitimacy of the congressional outcome and sought annulment of the leadership election.
CHP repeatedly denied the allegations during the judicial process.
Meanwhile, Ozel supporters accuse Kilicdaroglu allies of refusing to accept the result of the November 2023 congress and deepening divisions inside the opposition.
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The evacuation of CHP headquarters and police intervention further escalated tensions.
CHP lawmaker Hasan Ozturkmen accused Ozel-aligned figures of deliberately provoking the confrontation.
“They deliberately caused the police to intervene,” Ozturkmen told Anadolu.
“They knowingly created this scene. It was intended to provoke a reaction against Kilicdaroglu.”
Ozel supporters reject the accusation.
The struggle also extends to party resources and institutional authority.
With the reinstatement of the pre-congress administration, control over CHP headquarters, finances and institutional mechanisms shifted back to Kilicdaroglu’s leadership.
Ozel’s camp, meanwhile, relies on parliamentary support, party organizations and public mobilization.
The balance between institutional authority and political legitimacy is now emerging as the central question shaping CHP’s future.
The current crisis traces back to CHP’s Nov. 4-5, 2023 congress, where Ozgur Ozel defeated Kemal Kilicdaroglu and became party chairman.
In the months that followed, CHP delegates and former Hatay Mayor Lutfu Savas filed lawsuits seeking annulment of the congress over alleged irregularities.
In 2024, Ankara prosecutors launched an investigation into allegations linked to the congress process while civil proceedings continued.
The court’s ruling in May 2026, declaring the congress legally invalid under the principle of “absolute nullity” reopened the leadership struggle and restored CHP Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu to office until a new congress is organized.
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