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The court in Ankara adjourned the trial over the legitimacy of
the 38th congress of Republican People’s Party, or CHP, until
Oct. 24. The congress in 2023 ousted long-time leader Kemal
Kilicdaroglu and elected current chairman Ozgur Ozel.
The case alleges electoral fraud including buying votes and
procedural violations. The CHP has denied the accusations,
describing the legal action as a politically motivated attempt
by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government to undermine the
opposition through judicial pressure rather than democratic
means.
Erdogan’s government maintains Turkey’s courts are impartial and
free from political interference, insisting investigations into
the party are solely focused on corruption.
Critics view the case as part of a broader crackdown on the CHP,
which made significant gains in last year’s local elections.
They argue the move is designed to weaken the opposition ahead
of national elections scheduled for 2028, which could be held
earlier.
Municipalities controlled by the CHP have faced waves of arrests
this year. Among those targeted is Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu,
who remains in pre-trial custody on corruption charges he
denies. Imamoglu is widely seen as a potential challenger to
Erdogan and his March arrest triggered widespread protests.
Earlier this month, a court removed the CHP’s elected provincial
leadership in Istanbul and appointed an interim chairman to
oversee the local branch. Police escorted the court-appointed
official to the party’s Istanbul headquarters, using pepper
spray to disperse party members and supporters who resisted his
arrival.
During a rally in Ankara on Sunday, Ozel called the crackdown on
the CHP a “judicial coup” and vowed to resist moves to undermine
Turkey’s oldest political party.
If the congress is annulled, the court could appoint trustees to
oversee the party or reinstate Kilicdaroglu as chairman, a move
likely to deepen internal divisions.
Kilicdaroglu has signaled his willingness to return to
leadership but observers note he remains deeply unpopular among
CHP supporters after a string of electoral defeats against
Erdogan.
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