[80042] Political drama in Turkey: 111 CHP members of parliament demand an emergency convention

Political drama in Turkey: 111 CHP members of parliament demand an emergency convention

Political upheaval in the Republican People's Party (CHP) in Turkey: 111 members of parliament signed a joint statement calling for an extraordinary convention on July 12, 2026. The move, which was widely reported by various media outlets including gdh and Sputnik Türkiye, comes against a backdrop of deep concerns regarding the party's legal eligibility to participate in the elections.

According to the official announcement of the initiative, as quoted in gdh, the main reason for the demand is technical-legal: "Our side faces the risk of being unable to enter the elections if we do not hold a convention by July 25, 2026." This issue has been widely echoed in media outlets identified with more pro-government positions, such as A Haber and TGRT HABER, which sought to highlight the political embarrassment and the electoral risk the party is in.

At the same time, Haber Gündem reported that the matter is being examined by the Supreme Election Council (YSK), with a legal dispute existing as to whether a delay in the elections could lead to serious regulatory consequences for the party. On the other hand, there is a significant group within the CHP that does not support this move. According to a list published by the channel Sondakika Haber Gündem, 27 prominent members of parliament, including Faik Öztrak and Oğuz Kaan Salıcı, refrained from signing the call for the convention, which indicates a deep internal rift regarding the party's leadership and its strategic direction.

The reports indicate that the political struggle within the CHP has become a race against time, with the July 12 date perceived as a critical decision point for stabilizing the party's ranks before the strict deadline set by the Election Council.