11.06.2026 13:40
The first Party Assembly meeting after the absolute nullity decision in the CHP was held under the chairmanship of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Before the meeting, the resignation of 28 Party Assembly members dominated the agenda, while it was learned that 27 members attended the assembly. The Özgür Özel side argued that an extraordinary congress must be held within 45 days per the regulations due to the resignations, while the Kılıçdaroğlu administration held the meeting as planned.
The recent leadership crisis in the Republican People's Party reached a new turning point today. The Party Assembly meeting, overshadowed by the absolute nullity decision, expulsions, and debates over an extraordinary convention, has begun.
Prior to the meeting, the collective resignation decision of 28 Party Assembly members close to Özgür Özel further escalated tensions within the party. Following these resignations, attention turned to both the decisions to be made at the meeting and how the party by-laws would be implemented.
ÖZEL'S SIDE DEMANDS A CONVENTION
Individuals close to Özgür Özel argue that with the resignation of the 28 Party Assembly members, the Party Assembly and the Central Executive Committee elected from within it have collapsed.
According to Özel's side, per Article 24/3 of the CHP By-laws, if the number of Party Assembly members falls below the critical threshold, an extraordinary convention must be held within 45 days.
Zeynel Emre, spokesperson for the Özgür Özel administration, also stated in his remarks, "It would be a crime not to convene the convention after this point," asserting that the party leadership cannot make any decisions outside of a convention.
DIFFERENT ASSESSMENT FROM THE KILIÇDAROĞLU SIDE
Despite calls for a convention, the Kılıçdaroğlu side presented a different view. CHP Spokesperson Müslim Sarı stated that the Party Assembly would continue its work, declaring, "The Party Assembly will convene despite the resignations."
This statement once again highlighted the difference of opinion between the two wings within the party.
RESIGNATION LETTERS DELIVERED TO HEADQUARTERS
Meanwhile, another notable development occurred. CHP Parliamentary Group Leader Mustafa Biçer brought the resignation letters of the 28 Party Assembly members to the CHP Headquarters.
Responding to questions from press members in front of the Headquarters, Biçer pointed to the file in his hand and said, "Yes, the resignations are in the file you see here." While this development formalized the resignation process, the outcomes of the Party Assembly meeting are considered critically important for the future of the CHP.
EYES ON DECISIONS FROM THE MEETING
In recent weeks within the CHP, the absolute nullity decision, expulsions, demands for an extraordinary convention, and claims of a new party had successively come to the agenda.
During the Party Assembly meeting that began today, it is expected that both the resignations and the party's roadmap will be discussed. It is stated that the decisions from the meeting could have consequences affecting not only the CHP's internal balances but also the future of the opposition.