31.05.2026 18:10
The waters are not calming in the CHP after the "absolute nullity" decision. 221 former CHP parliamentarians from past terms published a joint statement, declaring that they do not accept the decision. The former deputies called for an immediate Extraordinary Congress to be held within no later than 45 days to resolve the emerging "legal representation gap" in the party before it grows.
The internal party movements and debates that started after the court's 'absolute nullity' decision in the Republican People's Party are growing. 221 former CHP deputies, who served in past periods and are united against the decision, issued a joint declaration expressing strong reaction. The former deputies emphasized that an extraordinary congress decision must be made immediately to resolve the legal vacuum created in the party.
JOINT DECLARATION FROM FORMER DEPUTIES: WE DO NOT ACCEPT THE DECISION
221 former CHP deputies, who came together against the absolute nullity decision that caused major turmoil within the party, declared in their joint statement that they absolutely do not accept this decision. The deputies, stressing that the sole source of political legitimacy is the free will of CHP organizations and members, stated that the will expressed at the ballot box cannot be disregarded by politicized judicial moves.
'THE LEGAL VACUUM MUST BE RESOLVED WITH A CONGRESS WITHIN NO MORE THAN 45 DAYS'
The statement drew attention to the 'legal representation vacuum' that has emerged in the party due to the ongoing process, and expressed that the only legitimate way out of this crisis is the ballot box. The statement noted that the debates must be ended before they grow further, and included the following call:
'For the resolution of the division and debates that are sought to be created within the CHP, the founding party of the Democratic and Secular Republic, without escalation, the most correct, legitimate, and legal solution is to IMMEDIATELY issue a Call for an Extraordinary Congress. The 'legal representation vacuum' currently created by the judiciary will be resolved as quickly as possible, within no more than 45 days, through the will of an Extraordinary Congress.'
'SUPREME ELECTION COUNCIL DECISIONS ARE FINAL, THE JUDICIARY CANNOT REGULATE POLITICS'
In the joint statement, which referenced Article 79 of the Constitution, it was reminded that election processes are conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Election Council (YSK) and that these decisions are final. The statement, drawing attention to the dangers of using the judiciary as a tool for political engineering, said: 'If the YSK finds no irregularities and rejects the objection, it issues the certificate of election to the elected candidate. According to Article 79, the YSK's decision is final and cannot be appealed. Making the government's judiciary a tool for regulating politics is very detrimental to the democratic order.'
'ABSOLUTE NULLITY ADVOCATES ARE NOT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY'
The statement, which emphasized that the will of the ballot box must be protected, concluded with these harsh words:
'Ignoring the will expressed at the ballot box shakes public trust in political institutions and justice. The absolute nullity decision has intervened in the constitutional order through a politicized judiciary. Absolute nullity advocates are those who do not stand on the right side of history and have no hope for tomorrow.'
Among the signatories of the declaration are heavyweights of the CHP such as Kemal Anadol, Mustafa Balbay, Süheyl Batum, Musa Çam, Tolga Çandar, Oktay Ekşi, Uluç Gürkan, Atilla Kart, Haluk Koç, Faruk Loğoğlu, and Nur Serter.