22.05.2026 01:20
MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, in his statement regarding the 'absolute nullity' decision on the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP, said: 'Kılıçdaroğlu should assume a historic responsibility by acknowledging that the injustice done to him has been recognized, while also ensuring he does not harm or wound the institution he served as chairman for 13 years, nor cause chaos. He should state that he has waived his rights in order to form a joint formula for the future of the CHP through negotiations with Özgür Özel.'
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MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli made an assessment regarding the 'absolute nullity' decision issued by the 36th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Appeal regarding the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP held on November 4-5, 2023.
In his written statement to CNN Türk, Bahçeli used the following expressions:
\"THE MOST IMPORTANT RESULT OF THE DECISION...\"
\"May 21, 2026 (today); the 36th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Appeal has issued an absolute nullity decision regarding the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP held on November 4-5, 2023. This decision means that the congress in question is considered legally invalid from the outset. The court also ruled that the ordinary and extraordinary congresses held after this congress and the decisions taken in this process are void. Within the scope of the decision, it was decided to temporarily suspend Özgür Özel, members of the Central Executive Board, Party Assembly, and High Disciplinary Board. The court ruled that the pre-congress administration, i.e., Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the then party bodies, should temporarily assume the duty until the decision becomes final. It was decided to send the decision to the Supreme Election Council (YSK), relevant election boards, and the Ankara Governorship. The most important result of the decision is that it creates serious uncertainty regarding the legal and de facto authority of management in the CHP. After the decision is notified to the parties, an appeal can be made to the Court of Cassation within two weeks. Indeed, it has been announced that the necessary objection has been made.
\"THE CONGRESS WAS BROUGHT TO COURT BY CHP DELEGATES\"
As known to the public, the 38th Ordinary Congress of the Republican People's Party took place on November 4-5, 2023, and Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Mr. Özgür Özel entered a democratic race for the chairmanship of the Republican People's Party. The congress, where Mr. Özgür Özel was elected as Chairman, was brought to court by some CHP delegates with allegations of irregularities and a request for cancellation. On May 21, 2026, the Ankara Regional Court of Appeal ruled for absolute nullity on the grounds that the allegations of irregularities regarding the said congress were proven; until the decision becomes final, Özgür Özel and his administration were temporarily suspended, and former Chairman Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and his team were reinstated until the decision becomes final.
\"ACTING WITH THE WILL TO CARRY THE INSTITUTIONAL IDENTITY OF THE CHP INTO THE FUTURE WILL BE THE HEALTHIEST PATH\"
When journalists asked our opinion about the CHP's absolute nullity lawsuit after our TBMM Group Meeting on May 5, 2026, I told them, 'The CHP is one of the most important political institutions that has existed since the founding of the Republic. We hope that this institution will not be allowed to be disrupted, fragmented, legally damaged, or used for different purposes.' At this point, our righteousness has been proven. In our view, evaluating the issue with composure, acting in accordance with the law, with a sense of responsibility, and acting with the will to carry the historical and institutional identity of the CHP into the future will be the healthiest path.
\"AT THIS POINT, OUTBURSTS LIKE 'WE DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE JUDICIAL DECISION' ARE FUTILE AND UNNECESSARY\"
As is known, at the CHP Grand Congress on November 5, 2024, Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Mr. Özgür Özel entered a democratic race for the chairmanship of the Republican People's Party. Under the conditions of that day, the will of the CHP delegates at the congress was declared by the electoral board to be in favor of Mr. Özgür Özel, and Mr. Özel was elected as the CHP Chairman. After the congress, a lawsuit was filed for the cancellation of the congress due to alleged irregularities regarding the delegates. The lawsuit filed with the request for the annulment of the congress was concluded on May 21, and the said grand congress was annulled on the grounds that the alleged irregularities were proven. By the court decision, it was accepted and registered that Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu was wronged, as alleged. At this point, outbursts like 'We do not recognize the judicial decision' are futile and unnecessary.
\"THE CHP SHOULD NOT BE MADE SUITABLE FOR USE FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES\"
Instead of resisting, preserving the institutional identity of the CHP, a century-old pillar of Turkish political life, should be essential for everyone. For this, the parties must first come together with common sense on the common ground of the CHP, acting with the will not to fragment, crumble, or drift. In a situation where we are surrounded by a ring of fire, and at the same time in a climate where the will for a terror-free Turkey has materialized, it is essential not to allow attempts to channel social unrest through the CHP. The CHP should not be made suitable for use for different purposes, nor should it be left in such a state.
\"KILIÇDAROĞLU SHOULD MEET WITH ÖZEL AND STATE THAT HE RENOUNCES\"
In this framework, common sense should become dominant in the CHP. Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu should undertake a historic responsibility by recognizing that the injustice done to him has been acknowledged, while also avoiding harming, wounding this deep-rooted institution where he served as chairman for 13 years, and preventing chaos. Within the legally permissible framework, he should meet with Mr. Özgür Özel and state that he renounces his claim in order to create a joint formula for the CHP's future. This outcome will benefit both the CHP and our country. At the same time, with this historic responsibility, Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu will earn a distinguished place in the hearts of both the CHP's institutional identity and the citizens devoted to the CHP.
\"ATTEMPTING THESE PATHS THROUGH THE CHP COULD CAUSE IRREPARABLE WOUNDS\"
Institutionalization in Turkish politics is the most important part of social stability, political compromise, and national solidarity. In this atmosphere surrounded by a ring of fire, power struggles, factional conflicts, fragmentation, and crumbling that could cause political chaos will hinder both politics and the strengthening of democracy. Attempting these paths through the CHP could cause irreparable wounds. The traumas created by such events in the past remain in Turkish political memory. In this context, Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu's decision will be more beneficial for stability and the unity of the CHP.
\"THE ONLY WAY AT THIS STAGE IS TO COMPROMISE\"
The statements made by Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Mr. Özgür Özel after the decision are within the framework of unity. However, transforming this into the common will of the CHP will make these efforts constructive. Our hope is that instead of forming crowds and mutual challenges, both chairmen come together and, within the possibilities provided by the laws, party regulations, and the court decision, find a common path based on CHP interests by making the necessary sacrifices. They should do this without delay, without causing social or internal party turmoil. It should not be forgotten that an attitude that could evolve into a point of betrayal against the CHP's institutional identity, legacy, and base will be a heavy burden for those who have served the CHP.
\"}"At this stage, the only way is to compromise; the fundamental element of compromise is to avoid provocations and act with a sense of sacrifice and responsibility.
Turkey is a democratic state governed by the rule of law. It has a strong political culture. According to our constitution, the judiciary is impartial and independent. Turkey belongs to all of us. With this understanding, acting with common sense, unity, and solidarity within the framework of rules and institutions, and reaching a consensus on the future of the CHP will be the most beneficial path.”