21.05.2026 18:41
After the court cancelled the CHP congress and removed Özgür Özel and his administration from duty with a ruling of absolute nullity, the first statement from the CHP came. CHP Deputy Group Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır said, 'We do not recognize the ruling of absolute nullity. Necessary steps will be taken.'
Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance annulled the latest congress of the CHP and issued a decision of absolute nullity. With this decision, Özgür Özel and his administration were removed from office. This court ruling, which landed like a bombshell on the political agenda, led to turbulent hours in the main opposition party.
CHP STATEMENT: 'WE DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE DECISION'
Following the decision, the first official statement from the CHP came from Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader Ali Mahir Başarır. Stating that they do not recognize the court's decision, Başarır said in his statement to tv100, 'We do not recognize the absolute nullity decision. The necessary steps will be taken.'
'THE DECISIONS ARE NULL AND VOID FOR US'
CHP Deputy Chairman Gökan Zeybek also said in his statement: 'All decisions made by courts that rule under orders are null and void for us. We are going to protect our headquarters, which the nation and the organization have entrusted to us.'
'ÖZGÜR ÖZEL IS MY CHAIRMAN'
CHP Istanbul Deputy Cemal Enginyurt also declared his support for Özgür Özel in a post on his social media account. Enginyurt stated, 'I do not recognize the absolute nullity decision. The CHP cannot be governed by palace orders. Özgür Özel is my Chairman. I love him and will continue to love and stand by him.'
Meanwhile, the court's decision ordered 'the annulment of the ordinary and extraordinary congresses and all decisions taken at these congresses,' and thus 'a return to the situation before the 38th Ordinary Elective Congress dated 4-5 November 2023, and the continuation of the duties of the former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and party bodies as they were before the congress date.' Additionally, it ruled for the annulment of the CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress held on 8 October 2023 and all decisions taken at that congress on the same grounds.
'IT WAS DECIDED THAT KILIÇDAROĞLU SHOULD TEMPORARILY ASSUME THE DUTY'
The decision included the following statements: 'It has been decided to temporarily suspend Chairman Özgür Özel, members of the Central Executive Board, members of the Party Council, and members of the High Disciplinary Board, who came into office with the congress dated 4-5 November 2023 that is tainted by absolute nullity, and that Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was in office before the congress dated 4-5 November 2023, along with members of the Party Council and the High Disciplinary Board, should temporarily assume their duties until the decision becomes final. An interim injunction decision for their reinstatement has been sent to the Supreme Election Board, the Ankara Provincial Election Board, the Çankaya 4th District Election Board, and the Ankara Governorship for implementation.'
The panel unanimously made the decision, with the option to appeal to the Court of Cassation within two weeks.