23.05.2026 18:00
After the court's annulment of the congress and reinstatement decision, the CHP headquarters submitted an official letter, including the court ruling, to the Presidency of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, stating that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is the "CHP Chairman."
The authority crisis that erupted after the court annulled CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress and 21st Extraordinary Congress on grounds of 'absolute nullity' has gained legitimacy within the party's institutional structure and before the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).
OFFICIAL LETTER SENT TO TBMM: CHAIRMAN KEMAL KILIÇDAROĞLU
The first official institutional step was taken for Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who after about two and a half years was legally reinstated to the leadership seat. The CHP Headquarters sent an official letter to the Presidency of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), attaching the court decision, stating that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is the 'CHP Chairman.' With this letter, the Özel administration also certified that Kılıçdaroğlu is the party's legal and official leader.
ÖZGÜR ÖZEL RETURNS TO PARLIAMENT: BECOMES NEW GROUP CHAIRMAN
On the other hand, Özgür Özel, whose title of chairman was removed by the court decision, made a new move on the parliamentary floor. The CHP Parliamentary Group, meeting behind closed doors under Özel's chairmanship, held an emergency 'group chairmanship election.' As a result of the vote, Özgür Özel was elected as CHP's new Parliamentary Group Chairman, becoming the party's highest-ranking official in parliament.
FIRST STATEMENT FROM KILIÇDAROĞLU: BEST WISHES TO MR. ÖZGÜR
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who had remained silent since the crisis broke out, faced the cameras for the first time today. Speaking in a very calm tone, Kılıçdaroğlu congratulated Özgür Özel on his election as Parliamentary Group Chairman, saying, 'Best wishes to Mr. Özgür for his new position.'
ÖZEL'S 'NO COMPROMISE' ULTIMATUM: I WILL CONDUCT THE MEETINGS
In response to Kılıçdaroğlu's moderate messages, a very harsh and clear stance came from Özgür Özel's side. Speaking to cameras after the group election, Özel declared that they are not on a 'compromise' ground with the former administration. Calling for the party to be taken to a congress as soon as possible, Özel said, 'I am the party's elected chairman. Of course, I will conduct the group meetings,' signaling that he will not relinquish leadership of the traditional Tuesday parliamentary group meetings.