[70752] Political crisis in Turkey: Court invalidates the election of Özgür Özel as head of the CHP

Political upheaval in Turkey: Cancellation of CHP chairman's election sparks storm

The judicial system in Turkey stunned the political establishment today (May 22, 2026) after the Ankara District Court ordered the disqualification of the election of Özgür Özel as head of the Republican People's Party (CHP), the main opposition party. According to a report by TurkishNews, the party leadership held a five-hour emergency meeting at the headquarters in Ankara, at the end of which it was officially decided to oppose the ruling and continue the political struggle, including a demand for early elections.

International criticism and claims of "political persecution"

The Socialist International (the international organization uniting social-democratic parties) issued a harsh statement against the legal move, calling it a "blow to democracy in Turkey." According to the Socialists, the court's decision is part of a "systematic constitutional pressure" against political opponents, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The organization emphasizes that "under the Turkish Constitution, the authority to approve internal party elections belongs solely to the Supreme Election Council (YSK)," which had already previously approved Özel's election.

Local political mobilization

In the domestic arena, Sputnik Türkiye reports that the chairman of the Zafer Party, Ümit Özdağ, visited Özgür Özel and expressed support for his legal struggle. In a message published by Sputnik, Özdağ argued that "such judicial interference in politics is unacceptable in a democratic country based on the rule of law," and added that his party stands with the CHP in this campaign.

As of this hour, the CHP is calling on all its activists, members of parliament, and local government heads to assemble at the party headquarters in Ankara, with the aim of demonstrating unity against what they define as an attempt to restore the previous leadership to its position through judicial intervention.