Political Drama in Turkey: The Court Annulled the Results of the 38th CHP Congress
[70437] Political Drama in Turkey: The Court Annulled the Results of the 38th CHP Congress
The Ankara court ordered the annulment of the results of the Republican People's Party's 38th Congress and the suspension of the current leadership led by Özgür Özel, a move that threatens to restore Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to the party leadership.
Political Drama in Turkey: The Court Annulled the Results of the 38th CHP Congress
A severe political shake-up is gripping Turkey after the Ankara Court of Appeals (BAM 36) ruled on May 21, 2026, on the "absolute nullity" (Mutlak Butlan) of the 38th Congress of the Republican People's Party (CHP). According to reports on TRT Haber, the immediate implication is the suspension of the current chairman, Özgür Özel, and his leadership, alongside the restoration of powers to the previous leader, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, until a final ruling.
Reasons for the Decision and Its Implications
According to reports published on Son Dakika Haberler Gündem, the court determined that the election process at the congress was flawed, citing "exertion of pressure on delegates," "promises of municipal positions," and tampering with ballots. According to the court, this is a "violation of public order and the law." Government officials, including Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç [cited as Akin Gürlek in source], were quoted on Sputnik Türkiye as welcoming the decision, claiming that "the congress was corrupted."
Reactions and Shock in the Political System
Özgür Özel reacted decisively and refused to accept the court's ruling. In a speech in front of party headquarters reported on Sputnik Türkiye, Özel declared: "I have no intention of leaving headquarters. If necessary, we will stop life in the country and will not surrender." Simultaneously, Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş attacked the ruling sharply, calling it in Sputnik Türkiye "a blatant political intervention contrary to the constitution."
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli called on Sputnik Türkiye for calm and "reconciliation," noting that "Kılıçdaroğlu must act with historical responsibility and seek a joint formula." On the other hand, Ekrem İmamoğlu defined the ruling as a "judicial coup" and called for a joint democratic struggle, as published on Haber X.
Legal Steps
As of now, the CHP leadership has announced the filing of an appeal to higher courts (Yargıtay) and an appeal to the Supreme Election Council (YSK). In the economic arena, the news affected the Istanbul Stock Exchange, with the BIST 100 index recording a decline of about 6% immediately upon the publication of the decision, as reported on GündemX.