11.06.2026 12:01
Before the Party Assembly meeting scheduled for today in CHP, the mass resignation of 28 PM members from Özel's team came as a bombshell. According to the party's bylaws, this decision should trigger an extraordinary congress process, while a notable statement came from Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's side. CHP Spokesperson Müslim Sarı said, "The Party Assembly will still convene despite the resignations."
The crisis in the Republican People's Party (CHP), which began with an absolute nullity decision and deepened in recent weeks with expulsion decisions, entered a new phase today with mass resignations. The announcement that 28 Party Assembly members close to Özgür Özel have left their posts has reignited debates over an extraordinary congress within the party.
While the resignations, which came just before the critical Party Assembly meeting planned for 13:00, caused a great stir in Ankara's political corridors, all eyes were on statements expected from the Kılıçdaroğlu camp.
ÖZEL CAMP: CONGRESS NOW MANDATORY
Figures close to Özgür Özel argue that with the resignations in the Party Assembly, Article 24 of the CHP's bylaws has been triggered, making it mandatory for the party to hold an extraordinary congress.
While the resigning members claim that the Party Assembly cannot continue its duties with its current structure, Özgür Özel's spokesperson Zeynel Emre made harsh statements.
In his assessment, Emre stated, "Not gathering the congress after this point would be a crime," asserting that the current administration can take no action other than leading the party to a congress.
FIRST RESPONSE FROM THE KILIÇDAROĞLU CAMP
Following the congress calls from the Özel camp, a notable statement also came from the Kılıçdaroğlu wing.
CHP Spokesperson Müslim Sarı stated that the Party Assembly would continue its work despite the resignations, saying, "The Party Assembly will still convene despite the resignations."
This statement once again highlighted the divergence of views between the two camps. While the Kılıçdaroğlu camp argues that the resignations do not directly lead to a congress, figures close to Özel assert that the bylaws are clear and the congress process must begin.
CENTRAL EXECUTIVE BOARD DISPUTE
Following the resignations, the status of the Central Executive Board (MYK) has also become a topic of debate within the party. Figures close to Özgür Özel argue that due to the decrease in the number of Party Assembly members, not only the PM but also the MYK elected from within it has been dissolved. The Kılıçdaroğlu camp, however, holds the view that the party organs will continue to operate.
HOW WILL THE CONGRESS PROCESS WORK?
According to Article 24/3 of the CHP bylaws, vacancies in the Party Assembly must first be filled with substitute members. If the number of members falls below two-thirds of the full number even after all substitute members are called, the Chairperson is required to convene an extraordinary congress within 45 days.
This article lies at the center of the internal party debate. The parties have differing interpretations of how this provision should be applied.
EYES ON THE PARTY ASSEMBLY MEETING
The Party Assembly meeting scheduled for today in the CHP is expected to be a critical turning point not only for the current crisis but also for shaping the party's future.
The process that began with the absolute nullity decision, alongside expulsions, demands for an extraordinary congress, claims of a new party, and finally mass resignations, has turned into one of the harshest internal struggles in CHP history.
The decisions emerging from the meeting are expected to have consequences that could impact both the party leadership and the future of the opposition.