21.05.2026 19:10
Former Hatay Metropolitan Mayor Lütfü Savaş, who filed a lawsuit regarding the cancellation of CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress following a 'absolute nullity' ruling, stated, "May this decision be auspicious for our entire nation, all politicians in Turkey, and the political mechanism." Savaş also said about Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was reinstated, "Whatever plan he makes, we must comply and stand by him for better days."
The 36th Civil Chamber of the Court of Appeals ruled 'absolute nullity' for both congresses in the lawsuit filed for the annulment of the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress and 21st Extraordinary Congress. It was decided to reinstate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the party bodies to their duties.
Former Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Lütfü Savaş, who filed a lawsuit on the matter, evaluated the situation in Eskişehir, where he came for his mother-in-law's funeral ceremony.
'I DID NOT WANT SUCH A STAIN TO REMAIN ON MY PARTY'
Speaking about the matter, Lütfü Savaş said, 'First of all, may this decision be auspicious for our entire nation, all politicians in Turkey, and the political mechanism. This decision started like this: After the congress, there was a lot of talk, many congress delegates made speculative remarks about the issue. Then a lawsuit regarding the congress was filed in Bursa. Later, our President addressed our Chairman about four or five times as 'the chairman of the questionable congress.' After that, our former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu mentioned this issue on a private television channel, stating that our President referred to our Chairman as 'the chairman elected in the questionable congress.' Of course, this party is a party entrusted to us by history. This party was founded by a great figure, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who won the love of 85% of the citizens of this country, regardless of your political view or worldview, and he founded it to be the political school of Turkey on the battlefields. As someone who loves Atatürk and loves this country, I did not want such a stain to remain on my party. If there is a stain, people associated with the stain should be removed; if not, I thought no one should tarnish our party. That is why I filed this lawsuit.'
'IT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT CASE IN TURKISH POLITICAL HISTORY' 'Today, this case concluded. Indeed, it was perhaps the most important case in Turkish political history. After this case, I think we will experience many firsts in Turkish politics in terms of political purification. But especially for the Republican People's Party family, whether it is my friends who support the current administration or those who stood by our former Chairman Kemal Bey in the past, none of us should rejoice or shout for joy. From today onward, we all must think with much greater responsibility about how to bring the Republican People's Party down to the grassroots, how to prepare it for the future, how to design it with a team capable of overcoming Turkey's problems, and how to revive the hopes of a hopeless society,' he said.
'WHATEVER PLANNING AND PROGRAM KILIÇDAROĞLU MAKES, WE HAVE TO COMPLY' Continuing his speech, Lütfü Savaş stated: 'When filing this case, I thought most about the Republican People's Party's historical mission, its understanding of law, its democratic tradition, its transparency, and I filed this case believing it was very important for the party to become a source of hope. May it be auspicious for Turkish democracy and Turkish political history, but today, especially our Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the people who will serve in important positions within our political party from now on, I say this is a day for thinking and taking responsibility, not rejoicing, and I wish it well for all of us. So, what role will be followed within the party as of tomorrow? I am not a member of the Republican People's Party right now. As you know, this administration pushed me out of the party because of a tweet. Since all past decisions have been overturned, I am of course proudly one of those who should protect Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's legacy. But the main person responsible here is our Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Whatever planning and program he makes, we of course have to comply and stand by him for better days.'
'THE SLOGAN SHOULD BE: WE MUST CARRY THE OLD TO THE NEW' 'Of course, the slogan should be: We must carry the old good to the new good and create a policy that embraces the whole of Turkey. For that, we need to prepare the ground well and, through good organization, carry hope and instill hope in Turkey again. Thank you. I thank you and say may it be auspicious.'
BACKGROUND OF THE CASE Regarding the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation into irregularities. Former Hatay Mayor Lütfü Savaş and some delegates had filed separate lawsuits in civil courts for the annulment of the CHP's November 4-5, 2023 congress and the 21st Extraordinary Congress on April 6, 2025. The annulment lawsuits were consolidated into a case at the Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance on February 14.
On October 24, the court ruled that there was no need for a decision due to the case becoming moot and also dismissed the consolidated cases, including the request for the annulment of the CHP's 21st Extraordinary Congress, due to lack of standing. Subsequently, Lütfü Savaş and the delegates' lawyer, Onur Yusuf Üregen, objected to the decision, requesting the overturning of the Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance's decision and the establishment of a new judgment. The annulment of all elections held during the 39th Ordinary Congress and Convention process initiated and presided over by the CHP's current administration was requested.
Additionally, it was requested to determine that the 38th Ordinary Congress was void with absolute nullity, to suspend Chairman Özgür Özel, members of the Central Executive Board (MYK), Party Assembly (PM), and High Disciplinary Board (YDK) from duty, and to reinstate former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the previous boards who were in office before the 38th Congress.
Source: IHA / AA