16.06.2026 11:51
A harsh response came from Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's team, who took over the management of CHP after the judiciary's "absolute nullity" decision, targeting Ekrem İmamoğlu and Özgür Özel. Deputy Chairman Berhan Şimşek announced that İmamoğlu is no longer the party's official presidential candidate and that the presidential office has been closed.
Following the court's "absolute nullity" ruling in CHP, political backstage continues to simmer. Berhan Şimşek, appointed as Deputy Chairperson by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu who returned to the party leadership after the decision, made statements on a CNN Türk live broadcast that are set to completely alter the course of internal party debates and spark widespread discussion.
"İMAMOĞLU IS NOT OUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE"
Şimşek used very harsh language regarding the candidate status of Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was declared as "CHP's presidential candidate" during the tenure of suspended chairperson Özgür Özel, and their future within the party. Responding clearly to the question "Is İmamoğlu still the official presidential candidate of CHP?" during the live broadcast, Berhan Şimşek stated that the presidential office had also been closed, saying: "No, he is not. The presidential office is closed too. You cannot say 'presidential candidate' when there is nothing on the table; you can say 'candidate for candidacy'."
"THE DISCIPLINARY BOARD WILL ASSESS"
Şimşek also signaled that decisions could be made by the party's disciplinary boards regarding Özgür Özel, who was in administration before the absolute nullity decision, and Ekrem İmamoğlu in the upcoming period. Indicating a purification process within the party, Şimşek continued: "Nobody is self-proclaimed. If we are talking about purification, these will be assessed when the time comes. However, this is also what our friends want. Because they want to tear off pieces from the party as they leave."
"IF THEY ARE FOR CLEAN POLITICS..."
Deputy Chairperson Berhan Şimşek, who argued that Özgür Özel and Ekrem İmamoğlu should resign from the party in light of the current process and allegations, concluded his statements on the live broadcast with these striking words: "I am not saying we will expel these friends. But if these friends came through the educational discipline of CHP and if they themselves are for clean politics, they should resign from the party. They will stand trial, and if acquitted, they can return."