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Türkiye’s main opposition CHP’s congress under investigation over alleged irregularities

Main opposition's mindset and its limits of tolerance
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Main opposition's mindset and its limits of tolerance
February 10, 2025 06:00 PM GMT+03:00

Ankara’s Chief Public Prosecutor has launched an investigation into the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023, following allegations of irregularities.

Former CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and former CHP parliamentary group leader Akif Hamzacebi have been summoned as witnesses regarding claims that votes were allegedly cast in exchange for money.

The investigation began after a complaint was filed with the Bursa Chief Prosecutor’s Office, which later transferred the case to Ankara due to jurisdiction. The prosecutor’s office confirmed that the probe has been ongoing since January 2024.

President Erdogan (R) greets then CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu (L)
President Erdogan (R) greets then CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu (L)

Erdogan: 'A controversial congress'

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan previously described the CHP congress as "controversial" and claimed that Kilicdaroglu was "expelled" from the party through an orchestrated effort.

"We gave the new chairman a chance to engage in politics constructively. However, the internal power centers that thrive on tension could not tolerate it," Erdogan said.

Former Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu (R) and CHP's new chairman, Ozgur Ozel (L)
Former Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu (R) and CHP's new chairman, Ozgur Ozel (L)

Kilicdaroglu: 'Party must pespond'

Kilicdaroglu criticized CHP leadership for not responding strongly to Erdogan’s remarks:

Erdogan has called it a controversial congress at least five times. Either the party’s leadership or the chairman must make a clear statement. If they remain silent, doubts will grow in the minds of ordinary citizens.

Former CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu

Ozel: 'Not worth a response'

Current CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel dismissed Erdogan’s claims:

Should we waste time responding? If I did, I would be disrespecting our party’s 1.6 million members. Are these claims even worth considering?

CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel

former CHP parliamentary group leader Akif Hamzacebi
former CHP parliamentary group leader Akif Hamzacebi

Hamzacebi: 'No allegations from me'

Hamzacebi denied making any claims about irregularities, stating:

"I never suggested that our congress was controversial. My only concern is that Erdogan is constantly repeating this claim, and our party should firmly reject it."

Background: The ‘Dagger’ controversy

The 38th CHP Congress was already marked by tension. During the event, Kilicdaroglu said:

"I had to enter this election with daggers in my back."

Ozel responded:

"There are no daggers in CHP. No one carries a dagger here."

February 10, 2025 06:00 PM GMT+03:00
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