21.05.2026 18:40
The process began with allegations of irregularities following the 38th Ordinary Convention, where Özgür Özel was elected as the party leader. Lütfü Savaş and some delegates filed a lawsuit, claiming that the will of the delegates was manipulated through pressure and vested interests. After the first-instance court dismissed the case, the file was taken to the appellate court, and the Ankara Regional Court of Justice ruled for "absolute nullity."
The Ankara Regional Court of Justice annulled the 38th Ordinary Congress of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and all subsequent congresses on grounds of “absolute nullity,” removing Özgür Özel's administration from office. The court ordered the reinstatement of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and former party bodies.
This landmark decision in Turkish political history, creating legal and political turmoil in the main opposition party, also triggered sharp movements in the markets.
HISTORIC DECISION: 38TH CONGRESS DECLARED LEGALLY “VOID”
The 36th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice ruled that the 38th Ordinary Congress, held on November 4-5, 2023, in which Özgür Özel was elected as party chair, is legally null and void.
Because the congress is considered legally as if it never took place, the court also canceled all subsequent ordinary and extraordinary congresses in a chain reaction.
As per the decision:
- Özgür Özel and current Central Executive Board (MYK) and Party Assembly members were suspended from duty.
- Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the previous party administration were reinstated.
COURT'S REASONS FOR ANNULMENT
In the reasoned decision, the court cited Article 69 of the Constitution and Articles 4 and 93 of the Political Parties Law, stating that principles of democracy and equality were violated in the election processes. The key reasons highlighted in the decision are as follows:
- It was concluded that delegates' voting preferences were influenced by material benefits and promises of positions.
- Requesting photographs of ballot papers from some delegates was deemed a violation of the secret ballot principle.
- The CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress was also considered legally flawed for the same reasons.
- Subsequent extraordinary congresses were deemed not to have remedied the legal defects of the initial congress.
CRISIS MEETING AT CHP HEADQUARTERS
Following the decision's entry into the UYAP system, hectic hours unfolded at CHP headquarters. Özgür Özel and the current party leadership called an extraordinary meeting of the MYK to evaluate the legal consequences of the decision. In a call to the party organization, members were invited to the headquarters in Ankara.
SHARP DECLINE IN BORSA ISTANBUL
The decision also caused sharp volatility in the markets. Due to the management crisis in the main opposition party, Borsa Istanbul saw a decline exceeding 4 percent.
HOW DID THE LAWSUIT PROCESS BEGIN?
The process began with allegations of irregularities following the congress where Özgür Özel was elected as chair over Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Former Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Lütfü Savaş and some delegates filed a lawsuit, alleging fraud in the congress and impairment of delegate will. MASAK reports, witness statements, and investigation documents in the case file were also considered. The first instance court had dismissed the case, but the appellate court issued the historic decision, ruling that subsequent congresses did not eliminate the prior irregularities.