22.05.2026 10:10
The crisis within the CHP deepened after the party congress was annulled on grounds of "absolute nullity." Following statements that former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu would accept the position, messages of support for CHP member Özgür Özel emerged. After former Youth Branch Chairman Gençosman Killik, Aylin Nazlıaka also stated that she would not accept returning to her former duties if ordered by a court decision.
The court's cancellation of CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress and the ruling of "absolute nullity" have caused a major crisis in the main opposition party. Following the decision, former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu announced that he would accept the position again, while current Chairman Özgür Özel and his administration stated that they stand behind the will of the congress. This legal ruling has reignited leadership debates between the old and new administrations within the party.
SUPPORT FOR ÖZGÜR ÖZEL FROM THE FORMER HEAD OF YOUTH BRANCHES
Gençosman Killik, the former head of CHP Youth Branches, who joined the debates, gave clear support to Özgür Özel. Killik stated that if the court decision leads to a return to the past, he would not accept his former position.
"I DO NOT ACCEPT THE POSITION"
In his statement, Killik said: "It is not the palace courts but CHP members who decide who will lead CHP. The Chairman of CHP is not appointed; he is elected. I stand with our Chairman Özgür Özel and the will of the congress. In the event of a possible reversal, I also do not accept the position of Head of Youth Branches."
ANOTHER BAD NEWS FOR KILIÇDAROĞLU FROM AYLİN NAZLIAKA
Following Gençosman Killik, the former head of CHP Youth Branches, another piece of bad news for Kılıçdaroğlu came from Aylin Nazlıaka, the Chair of CHP Family and Social Services Policy Board.
Aylin Nazlıaka, Chair of CHP Family and Social Services Policy Board, stated: "This decision, which aims to depoliticize the opposition, cannot stop our march to power. I inform the public that I will not accept any decision that would require me to return to the position of Head of Women's Branches, which I held with great honor and responsibility between 2020-2024."
"ONE OF THE DARKEST DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF DEMOCRACY"
Aylin Nazlıaka, Chair of CHP Family and Social Services Policy Board, in her statement on social media following the decision of the Ankara Regional Court of Appeal 36th Civil Chamber to cancel CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress, noted: "Today, we are experiencing one of the darkest days in the history of our democracy. The 'Absolute Nullity' decision against our party is a clear indication of the attempt to shape politics through the judiciary."
"WE DO NOT RECOGNIZE THIS DECISION, AND WE WILL NOT"
We do not and will not recognize this decision, which is political rather than legal. This decision, which aims to depoliticize the opposition, cannot stop our march to power. I inform the public that I will not accept any decision that would require me to return to the position of Head of Women's Branches, which I held with great honor and responsibility between 2020-2024.
Our struggle is a struggle for equality, freedom, justice, and democracy. We will never abandon the ideal of a secular and democratic Turkey where women live in safety, children look to the future with hope, and the rule of law prevails. Under the leadership of our Chairman Özgür Özel, we will continue to defend the will of the people and fight for a bright Turkey."
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Ankara Regional Court of Appeal issued an absolute nullity decision for CHP. It was decided to cancel CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023.
It was decided to suspend CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, along with the members of the Central Executive Board and the High Disciplinary Board, from duty. The court also decided that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, along with the members of the Party Assembly and the High Disciplinary Board, should provisionally assume their positions until the decision is finalized. With the cancellation of the congress, all ordinary and extraordinary congresses held after that date and the decisions taken were also invalidated.
WHAT WAS SAID IN THE COURT DECISION?
In the decision of the Ankara Regional Court of Appeal 36th Civil Chamber, it was stated: "The provisional suspension from duty of Chairman Özgür Özel, members of the Central Executive Board, members of the Party Assembly, and members of the High Disciplinary Board, who came into office through the congress of November 4-5, 2023, which is tainted by absolute nullity, and the provisional assumption of duties and reinstatement of Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, along with the members of the Party Assembly and the High Disciplinary Board, who were in office before the congress of November 4-5, 2023, until the decision is finalized."