[76158] Political drama in Turkey: Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu returns to lead the CHP

Political upheaval in Turkey: Struggle for the leadership of the CHP

In a dramatic event that took place today (May 30, 2026), Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu returned to his position as Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), following a legal ruling of "absolute nullity" (mutlak butlan) that invalidated the recent election proceedings. Kılıçdaroğlu, who had been absent from party headquarters for about two and a half years, was welcomed by his supporters in a show of force that included throwing flowers and mass singing, as reported by TGRT HABER.

In a speech he gave at the party headquarters, Kılıçdaroğlu promised to hold those responsible for the current situation accountable and declared: "I will demand an accounting. After that, I will bring the convention ballot box before you as soon as possible. We will hold a clean and pure convention". The channel A Haber, known for its line aligned with the current administration, highlighted his return to the chairman's seat and the fact that this is a dramatic change in the political status quo.

On the other hand, Özgür Özel, who serves as the parliamentary group leader, sharply attacked the legitimacy of the move: "A nullity ruling does not grant anyone the legitimacy of a chairman. In the CHP, a chairman cannot sit without a mandate". At the same time, Özel held his own rally at Güven Park square in Ankara, where he called on his supporters to continue on a path of "hope and a march of victory" and demanded the immediate convening of a party convention.

The situation on the ground reflects a deep rift in the party, as two different holiday prayers were held concurrently with the events: one led by Kılıçdaroğlu at party headquarters and one led by Özel in Ankara, as reported in Haber Gündem. At the same time, it was reported in Haber X that party headquarters submitted a formal request to the Ankara Governor's Office to cancel Özel's rally, which indicates a legal and organizational escalation in the struggle for control of the CHP.