23.05.2026 18:10
Following the Ankara Regional Court of Justice's "absolute nullity" ruling in the CHP congress case and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's return to the party leadership, 12 CHP metropolitan mayors issued a joint statement calling for an extraordinary congress to be convened within 45 days in order to emerge stronger from the crisis and ensure the party's wellbeing.
Following the 'absolute nullity' decision of the 36th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice in the CHP congress case, debates over the congress have now begun. These discussions have also been joined by CHP metropolitan mayors.
THEY MET WITH ÖZGÜR ÖZEL
Twelve CHP metropolitan mayors visited Özgür Özel, who was re-elected as Group Chair in today's election at CHP headquarters following the 'absolute nullity' decision. After the meeting, the mayors issued a joint written statement, calling for an extraordinary congress to be convened within no more than 45 days for the future of the party.
"THE REAL AIM IS TO DIVIDE OUR PARTY AND WEAKEN HOPE"
In the joint statement bearing the signatures of the metropolitan mayors, attention was drawn to the timing and purpose of the court decision. Emphasizing CHP's deep-rooted democratic history, the statement included the following expressions:
"Our party, which founded the Republic, has successfully emerged from the difficult processes experienced in the democratic history of our country to date. Our party will also emerge stronger from the process we are in today, in unity and solidarity. We are aware that the real aim of the 'absolute nullity' decision is to divide and fragment our Republican People's Party and to weaken the hope of our nation for a change of government."
FULL SUPPORT FOR ÖZGÜR ÖZEL: WE STAND WITH HIM
Following the legal process, the mayors delivered a message of party unity and declared their commitment to the current administration. In the continuation of the statement, it was stated that full support was given to the headquarters: "As Republican People's Party metropolitan mayors, we stand by our party's elected Chair, Mr. Özgür Özel, and our party administration."
DEMAND FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL CONGRESS
The most striking part of the declaration was the indication of a clear roadmap for the organization and the party. To overcome the crisis and reinforce the party's legitimacy, the mayors formalized their call for a congress, stating: "At this stage, for the sake of our party's well-being and future, we announce to the public our view that an extraordinary congress must be convened within no more than 45 days." Following this move, which has stirred political circles, the steps to be taken by the headquarters are eagerly awaited.