03.09.2025 14:35
The Istanbul 45th Civil Court issued a provisional decision in the case for the annulment of the congress held on October 8, 2023, removing the administration of Özgür Çelik from office. Gürsel Tekin was appointed as the trustee for the Provincial Presidency. While CHP officials announced that Tekin would not be allowed into the party building, Tekin stated, "The presidency does not necessarily have to be conducted in the building; we have started our duties."
While the CHP focused on the hearing of the case filed for the annulment of the 38th Ordinary Congress, a critical development occurred in Istanbul. The Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance, with its interim decision in the case filed for the annulment of the Istanbul Provincial Congress held on October 8, 2023, suspended the provincial administration led by Özgür Çelik from duty.
GÜRSEL TEKİN APPOINTED AS TRUSTEE
Following the court's decision, Gürsel Tekin, who announced his departure from the CHP in 2024, was appointed as the trustee of the Istanbul Provincial Presidency. However, CHP officials announced that Tekin would not be allowed into the party building despite the court's decision.
"POLITICS CANNOT BE DONE BY SITTING IN THE BUILDING"
After the developments, Gürsel Tekin spoke to Sözcü, stating that they have effectively taken over the duty, saying, "My friends and I have started our duties as of today. The presidency is not necessarily done in the building. During my three and a half years as provincial chairman, I spent at most 40-45 days in our party building. Politics cannot be done by sitting in the building. I will not let anyone question my partisanship," he said.
CRISIS WITHIN THE PARTY
The court's interim decision has led to a new crisis within the CHP. The standoff between the party administration and Gürsel Tekin is expected to escalate in the coming days.
THE GREAT CONGRESS IS ALSO AT RISK
The annulment of the Istanbul Provincial Congress indicates that the case related to the CHP Great Congress, which will be held on September 15, may also conclude similarly. This is because the decision regarding the Istanbul Provincial Congress annulled the delegate status of 196 delegates who voted at the Great Congress. These delegates, whose will was found to have been altered in exchange for material benefits, voted at the grand congress. Kılıçdaroğlu lost the election by 18 votes. This situation alone jeopardizes the outcome of the Great Congress.