Turkish court annuls CHP congress, restores Kılıçdaroğlu as party leader

ANKARA

Ankara’s regional appeals court on Thursday annulled the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) 2023 leadership congress and reinstated former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu pending a final ruling, according to the court decision.

The Ankara Regional Court of Justice’s 36th Civil Chamber ruled that the CHP’s 38th Ordinary Congress held on Nov. 4-5, 2023, was affected by “absolute nullity,” cancelling the congress and all decisions taken since then within the party structure.

The ruling effectively removes current CHP leader Özgür Özel and the party administration from office on a temporary basis and restores Kılıçdaroğlu and the previous party organs until the decision is finalized.

The court also annulled the CHP Istanbul provincial congress held on Oct. 8, 2023, along with all decisions adopted there.

The chamber overturned an earlier ruling by Ankara’s 42nd Civil Court of First Instance, which had dismissed the case on procedural grounds after finding there was no need for a decision.

According to the decision, precautionary measures ordering the suspension of Özel, members of the Central Executive Board, Party Assembly and High Disciplinary Board were sent to the Supreme Election Council and relevant local authorities for implementation.

The ruling can be appealed before the Supreme Court of Appeals within two weeks.

Following the decision, the CHP’s Central Executive Board convened an emergency meeting.