Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party faced a major leadership shake-up after an Ankara court annulled its 2023 leadership election and removed Ozgur Ozel.
The ruling ordered former party chair Kemal Kilicdaroglu to take over as interim leader, reversing the congress result that brought Ozel to power. AP also reported that the decision suspended Ozel and the CHP executive board.
The case centred on allegations of vote buying at the CHP’s November 2023 congress. Prosecutors alleged that Ozel won by pressuring delegates with promises of jobs and other kickbacks.
The case was opened by the Ankara public prosecutor in February 2025 and thrown out in October after a court found no substance. Prosecutors appealed, and the latest ruling went in their favour.
CHP rejected the decision in a statement on X, saying it did not “recognise or accept the unlawful decision.” Ozel also vowed to continue the struggle with “honour, dignity and courage.”
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The ruling triggered protests at CHP headquarters in Ankara, where demonstrators shouted against Kilicdaroglu, according to footage. Istanbul’s BIST 100 stock index fell more than 6% after the news.
The decision adds pressure on Turkey’s oldest political party, which defeated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party in the 2024 local elections and has gained in opinion polls.
