14.09.2025 15:50
The eyes of politics are focused on the CHP's convention case, which will be seen tomorrow. While discussions about "absolute nullity" and the possibility of a "trustee" are taking place within the party before the trial, the return of former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to the party leadership is on the agenda. The main scenarios that could emerge from the hearing include the rejection of the case, a decision of "absolute nullity," a decision of lack of jurisdiction, or the postponement of the case.
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The lawsuit filed for the annulment of the 38th Ordinary Congress and the 21st Extraordinary Congress of the CHP will be heard tomorrow (September 15, Monday) at 10:00 AM at the Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance. While discussions about "absolute nullity" and the possibility of a "trustee" are ongoing within the party, whether former chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will return to the party leadership has become one of the hottest topics on the agenda.
"I DON'T THINK KEMAL BEY WILL LOWER HIMSELF TO THIS"
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, in his latest assessment on the matter, stated, "I hope such a decision will not be made. If it is made, I believe Kemal Bey will not lower himself to such a thing."
Gürsel Tekin, who was appointed as a trustee to the CHP Istanbul provincial chairmanship, said, "It doesn't concern me at all. I hope a decision favorable to our party comes out of Ankara."
THE PARTY IS GOING TO CONGRESS ON SEPTEMBER 21
The party administration decided to hold a congress on September 21 before the lawsuit. It is claimed that this step aims to leave the lawsuit without a subject in case the court decides on "absolute nullity."
This decision, taken with the signatures of over 900 delegates, is argued to remain unchanged even if Kılıçdaroğlu becomes chairman again. The administration aims to hold the 39th Ordinary Congress to leave the lawsuit without a subject, calculating that the appeal and Supreme Court processes will take at least two years.
THE COURT REQUESTED THE CANCELLATION FILE OF THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
In the lawsuit filed for the annulment of the CHP Provincial Congress held in Istanbul on October 8, 2023, the court removed Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik and his administration from office and appointed a five-member committee, including Gürsel Tekin.
The court also removed 196 delegates from office, and this decision, which drew attention with its justifications based on SGK records, was also linked to the congress lawsuit in Ankara.
After this decision, it is stated that the court requested the file because there are similar claims in the lawsuit regarding the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress.
WHAT'S IN THE INDICTMENT?
In the indictment of the congress lawsuit, it was alleged that Ekrem İmamoğlu, who served as the Chair of the Board at the 38th Ordinary Congress, and some individuals made various promises to the delegates.
- It was claimed that money was given to the delegates,
- Offers for mayoralty or council membership were made,
- Hiring was done in municipalities,
- Shopping cards were distributed among the claims.
In the indictment, a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years is requested for 12 individuals, including İmamoğlu and İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay, for the crime of "manipulating the vote."
MAIN SCENARIOS THAT COULD EMERGE FROM THE HEARING
The trial was previously scheduled to be held on September 8, but was postponed to September 15 at the request of CHP lawyers. In the hearing starting tomorrow at 10:00 AM, the court will evaluate different possibilities such as dismissal of the case, a decision of "absolute nullity," or partial annulment. The main scenarios that could emerge from the hearing are as follows:
DISMISSAL OF THE CASE
If the allegations are found to be insufficiently proven or if the accusations are not substantiated in court, the case may be dismissed. In this case, Özgür Özel's administration would be preserved.
"ABSOLUTE NULLITY" DECISION
If the court rules that the congress has no legal validity in all respects, it may issue a decision of "absolute nullity." This decision would consider the congress "null and void" and could lead to significant structural changes in the party, especially regarding the delegate structure, etc. It may have political implications, such as Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu returning to the party presidency.
PARTIAL DECISION/INCOMPETENCE DECISION
The court may find some allegations invalid but accept others, issuing decisions that will have limited effects. For example, findings may emerge that certain delegates were unauthorized or that voting procedures were flawed.
POSTPONEMENT OF THE CASE
The case may be postponed to subsequent hearings due to reasons such as missing documents or the completion of other legal processes. Such postponements had occurred in previous hearings.
LÜTFÜ SAVAŞ: I WOULD BE HAPPY IN BOTH SCENARIOS
One day before the trial, former Hatay Metropolitan Mayor Lütfü Savaş, who initiated the lawsuit, made striking statements. Speaking to Sabah, Lütfü Savaş said, "Our Chairman Özgür Özel was referred to as the dubious chairman of the dubious congress. As a Republican People's Party member, I filed a lawsuit so that the name of my party would not be tarnished, to rid it of suspicion, and to reveal what is there. Just as a sick person consults a doctor, I turned to the law. If it is said that there is no suspicion, I will be happy, I will be glad. If it is said that there is suspicion, those responsible will be cleansed from the party, and I will be happy again. We want the 104-year-old party to be cleansed of suspicion. This case is ours, the case of CHP members. No one should interfere; let justice prevail."
MYK MEETING WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE CASE
The CHP Central Executive Board (MYK) will hold an extraordinary meeting at 10:00 AM on the morning of the trial. Additionally, Chairman Özel will speak at the rally titled "Not Guardianship, Politics! No to Trustees, No to Coup!" to be held in Ankara.
38TH CONGRESS AND 21ST EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS
38th Ordinary Congress (November 2023): In the first round, Özgür Özel received 682 votes, and Kılıçdaroğlu received 664 votes. Since a simple majority could not be achieved, Özel became the 8th Chairman of the CHP with 812 votes in the second round.
21st Extraordinary Congress (April 6, 2025): In the congress convened on the grounds of "trustee possibility" following Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest, Özel was re-elected as chairman with 1171 votes as the sole candidate.
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