01.06.2026 11:50
"Imprisoned Ekrem İmamoğlu, who targeted Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and his administration with harsh words after Kılıçdaroğlu became head of the CHP through the court's absolute nullity decision, declared that he does not recognize Kılıçdaroğlu's leadership, saying, 'The name for trying to obtain the authority that the people did not give at the ballot box from the court corridors is political trusteeship, internal malevolent trusteeship. The CHP's headquarters is no longer that building; let them sit and stare at empty walls.'"
The 'dual head' crisis in the Republican People’s Party, which began with the court decision to remove Özgür Özel and reinstate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, gained a new dimension with a shocking statement from prison. Former Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is under arrest, fiercely criticized the Kılıçdaroğlu administration and declared that he does not recognize the current party headquarters.
"THIS IS CALLED POLITICAL TRUSTEESHIP"
Describing Kılıçdaroğlu's appointment through court corridors as an "illegitimate palace operation," İmamoğlu said, "A management approach brought to the helm of the CHP not through the will of the delegates, but through an operation orchestrated by the palace via the judiciary, has nothing to do with democracy. Whoever does this, its name is clear: Political trusteeship. Trying to derive authority that the people did not grant at the ballot box from court corridors is not legitimate politically, morally, or ethically. I call it an 'internal hostile trustee.' Because those who could not destroy this party from the outside now want to take it over from within."
"NOW LET THEM SIT AND STARE AT EMPTY WALLS"
Arguing that the CHP headquarters has lost its legitimacy, İmamoğlu stated, "The headquarters of the CHP is no longer that building; it is the squares where all our party members carry their spirit and heart. Now let them sit and stare at empty walls. Let them watch those who resist the coup."
SIGNAL FOR A NEW PARTY: WE WILL MAKE THAT ROAD TOGETHER WITH THE NATION
Responding to the question, "Should the struggle continue within the CHP, or should a new party be established?" with a clear manifesto, İmamoğlu signaled that a new political organization could be formed if the law continues to be violated: "'We will either find a way or make a way.' That way is the CHP under the chairmanship of my comrade Sayın Özgür Özel, as mandated by law, our delegates, and the national will. But if the law is violated and the will of our delegates and the nation is ignored, every path we walk together with the nation is legitimate and strong. The opposition is not experiencing a crisis; Erdoğan is staging a coup against the opposition. With the language, spirit, and will of the nation, we will make that path and run to power."
"ALL DEMOCRATS MUST UNITE, MAY 24 IS A MILESTONE"
Speaking on whether a potential new movement would be leader-centric or a front, İmamoğlu called for a massive "Democracy Front" encompassing all of Turkey. Emphasizing that the essence of the "change movement" he started with Özgür Özel is this, İmamoğlu concluded his statement with these words: "All democrats in Turkey must unite. I agree with our Chairman's assessment that 'May 24 is a milestone.' This date is a milestone where those united in the nullity alliance, those supporting the suffocation of the political sphere through court decisions, and those standing with the democracy front and national will separate. Those who took to the road with white shirts against all repression took steps for a free Turkey under torrential rain and hail in May. We are all together on this path."