A court decision has removed the leader of the official opposition in Turkey, Özgür Özel, with former president Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu resuming leadership. Specifically, the Court decided to nullify the 2023 Republican People’s Party congress that brought Özgür Özel to CHP leadership after his victory over longtime president Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who is now resuming the party leadership.
Turkey: Özgür Özel removed by court decision
Specifically, the 36th Civil Division of the Ankara Court of Appeal issued an absolute nullity decision concerning the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP.
The decision states:
“It was decided to annul the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP held on November 4-5, 2023, as well as all ordinary and extraordinary congresses held after that date.”
Following the court decision, a reorganization of party leadership is anticipated. According to the case reasoning, president Özgür Özel, members of the Central Executive Council, the Party Council, and the Supreme Disciplinary Council are removed from their duties.
Meanwhile, former president Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the previous administrative bodies from before the 38th congress return to their positions. After this judicial development, it was decided to convene an emergency session of the CHP Central Committee to examine the party’s next actions.
