Dr. Mona Soliman‏‏

Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), is facing a political crisis that threatens to deepen internal divisions and could lead to a structural split within the party. In May 2026, a <a href="https://www.turkishminute.com/2026/05/21/turkish-court-suspends-chp-leadership-reinstates-former-chairman-kilicdaroglu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">court ruling</a> invalidated the results of the party's 38th Ordinary Congress, thereby overturning Özgür Özel's election as party leader and reinstating former chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu along with the party's previous governing bodies.The ruling triggered significant internal pushback. Özel rejected the decision, accusing the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of "politicizing the judiciary" to weaken Turkey's opposition parties ahead of the next presidential election. He pledged to continue defending his position as party leader. Meanwhile, the European Union called on Ankara to uphold democratic standards, indicating that the crisis has now moved beyond Turkey's domestic political arena to affect Turkey–EU relations.Repercussions for the CHPThe CHP held its 38th Ordinary Congress on November 4–5, 2023, during which Özel defeated then-party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in a two-round vote. Kılıçdaroğlu conceded defeat, bringing his 13-year leadership of the party to an end.However, allegations that the congress results had been manipulated soon emerged and eventually developed into a legal case with several key repercussions:1. Özel Removed as CHP Leader: On May 21, 2026, the 36th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of <a href="https://yetkinreport.com/en/2026/05/22/absolute-nullity-blow-to-the-chp-court-rules-that-kilicdaroglu-must-return/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Appeal</a> ruled that the results of the 2023 CHP congress were null and void. The court also invalidated all subsequent congresses and decisions and ordered the temporary reinstatement of former party leader Kılıçdaroğlu and the party leadership that had been in office before the congress, pending a final judicial ruling. The decision was based on testimony from several party delegates who admitted to receiving bribes during the vote to elect a new party leader in Istanbul.2. Kılıçdaroğlu Pledges to Combat Corruption Within the Party: Kılıçdaroğlu moved quickly following the court's ruling, returning to his office at the party headquarters in Ankara. He <a href="https://aawsat.com/%D8%B4%D8%A4%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A5%D9%82%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9/5282183-%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">announced</a> his intention to convene an extraordinary party congress to elect a new leader and pledged to "cleanse the party of corruption and bribery."Although Kılıçdaroğlu’s reinstatement is officially intended to be temporary, requiring to organize another party congress to elect a new leader, he could delay that process to extend his tenure as party chairman. This outcome seems particularly likely after he signaled he would take disciplinary action against mayors accused of corruption. On June 10, 2026, Kılıçdaroğlu <a href="https://aawsat.com/%D8%B4%D8%A4%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A5%D9%82%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9/5283004-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%AA%D9%8E%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">referred</a> nine senior CHP lawmakers—including Deputy Parliamentary Group Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır—to the party's disciplinary committee with recommendations for expulsion following a meeting of the executive committee Kılıçdaroğlu had formed. Should these measures continue, they could restore the dominance of the party's "old guard" under Kılıçdaroğlu while weakening the influence of the Change Movement led by younger figures such as İmamoğlu and Özel.3. Özel Continues to Assert the Legitimacy of His Leadership: Özel has <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-ousted-chp-leader-draws-thousands-for-ankara-rally/a-77359342" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">refused</a> to comply with the court's decision removing him from office. Together with a number of supporters, he staged a sit-in at the party headquarters in Ankara before being removed by Turkish police. He subsequently organized protest marches in Ankara and Istanbul that attracted thousands of supporters.Özel has also <a href="https://aawsat.com/%D8%B4%D8%A4%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A5%D9%82%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9/5278764-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%82%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">called</a> for an immediate party congress to resolve the current crisis and challenged Kılıçdaroğlu to hold a primary election to determine the party's next leader. Özel declared that if Kılıçdaroğlu failed to secure the support of 85 percent of the party's two million members, he would not stand in the next leadership election.4. Özel Seeks to Internationalize the Party Crisis: Özel <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/turkeys-democratic-crisis-is-becoming-a-security-crisis-opinion-12015939" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">published</a> an article in Newsweek addressing international public opinion, arguing that his removal reflected "Turkey's democratic crisis, which has evolved into a security crisis with potential repercussions beyond the country's borders," given Turkey's strategic position overlooking the Black Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Middle East, as well as its NATO membership. He further argued that political instability inside Turkey carried both regional and international implications.These statements suggest that Özel is seeking to internationalize the party’s leadership dispute by encouraging European intervention in Turkey’s domestic political developments. However, such an outcome appears unlikely, since any explicit European support for Özel would almost certainly be viewed as interference in Turkey's internal affairs and therefore inconsistent with the principles of international law.5. Opposition Parties Warn Against Escalating the Crisis: Turkey's opposition parties strongly <a href="https://aawsat.com/%D8%B4%D8%A4%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A5%D9%82%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9/5280205-%D8%A5%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%AD%D8%B0%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A5%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">criticized</a> the court's decision removing Özel. İYİ Party leader Müsavat Dervişoğlu stated that "a trustee cannot be appointed to a political party through a judicial decision. We do not want a republic governed by trustees." Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu called on both the ruling party and the CHP to undertake "self-assessment in order to avoid internal conflict." Felicity Party leader Mahmut Arıkan also criticized what he described as "political interference in Turkey's party affairs." Likewise, Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), <a href="https://halktv.com.tr/siyaset/tuncer-bakirhandan-ahmet-ozere-verilen-cezaya-tepki-toplumsal-barisa-darbe-1003070h" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rejected</a> the court's ruling.These reactions reflect growing concern among Turkey's opposition parties over what they view as increasing judicial intervention in party politics aimed at enabling the ruling party to consolidate its dominance over Turkey's political landscape and strengthen its prospects in future elections.Implications for TurkeyThe crisis within the CHP reflects the broader challenges facing opposition parties in Turkey, including internal divisions and judicial proceedings. Major challenges for Turkey include the following: 1. Deepening Divisions Within the CHP: The CHP has effectively <a href="https://www.turkishminute.com/2026/06/01/ousted-chp-leader-says-delegates-have-begun-signature-drive-to-call-extraordinary-congress/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">split</a> into two camps. The first camp supports the court-reinstated party leader Kılıçdaroğlu, while the second supports the ousted chairman Özel and represents the majority within the party. Each side insists on the legitimacy of its leadership, deepening the party's internal institutional divisions and risking the fragmentation of its electoral base.Kılıçdaroğlu <a href="https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/kilicdaroglu-eyes-expulsions-as-turkiyes-chp-disciplinary-board-convenes/news" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">established</a> a 19-member Central Executive Board and convened a meeting of the party council at the CHP headquarters in Ankara on June 11, 2026. During the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/ousted-turkish-opposition-leaders-team-resigns-party-assembly-2026-06-11/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">meeting</a>, the council agreed to begin preparing a roadmap for the next party congress but declined to set a date, arguing that the court ruling had not yet become final.However, Özel dismissed Kılıçdaroğlu's actions as legally invalid. According to a statement issued by Özel's office and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/ousted-turkish-opposition-leaders-team-resigns-party-assembly-2026-06-11/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reported</a> on June 11, 2026, 28 of the party council's 57 members had resigned, effectively rendering the party council legally inoperative and requiring the party to convene a general congress within 45 days.2. Growing Accusations That Erdoğan Is Weakening the Opposition: The court ruling removing Özel is the latest episode in a broader series of judicial proceedings targeting the CHP since its victory in the 2024 municipal elections—the first local election defeat suffered by the ruling party. These proceedings have included the prosecution of İmamoğlu to prevent him from running in the next presidential election, as well as the arrest and prosecution of several CHP mayors on various charges.Consequently, <a href="https://aawsat.com/%D8%B4%D8%A4%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A5%D9%82%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9/5150574-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%A5%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B6-%D9%88%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">accusations</a> have intensified against both the ruling AKP and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of politicizing the judiciary and using court rulings to weaken and divide the opposition.3. Concerns Over Social Stability and Public Security: President Erdoğan has <a href="https://asharq.com/politics/185005/%D8%A3%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D9%88%D9%84%D9%86-%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%AD-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B6%D9%89/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">denied</a> that the government has had any involvement in the CHP leadership dispute and warned against "attempts to undermine Turkey's stability or deepen polarization by inciting the public against the security forces," stressing that the country urgently needs unity, consensus, and a focus on addressing critical national issues.His coalition <a href="https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/amp/bahceli-says-chps-parallel-leadership-threatens-stability-222901" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">partner</a>, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, likewise urged that the crisis should not be allowed to "damage the reputation of Turkish politics and democracy," and stated that the dispute had grown beyond an internal party matter and now posed a threat to social peace.These statements reflect concerns within the governing coalition that the crisis could escalate into a broader security challenge, particularly if confrontations emerge between police and demonstrators protesting Özel's removal. Protest rallies have already taken place in several locations, raising the possibility that prolonged unrest could undermine public security and political stability in the months ahead.4. Increased Likelihood of Early Presidential Elections: Kılıçdaroğlu's return to the CHP leadership has <a href="https://www.turkishminute.com/2026/05/27/opposition-turmoil-may-push-erdogan-toward-snap-election-analysts-say/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">brought</a> back an opposition figure whose positions converge with those of the ruling party on certain issues. President Erdoğan is seeking constitutional amendments that would allow him to run in the next presidential election, which could also be held before its scheduled date in 2028.To achieve this, the ruling party would require the support of a two-thirds parliamentary majority to approve both constitutional amendments and a decision to call early presidential elections—a threshold that could only be reached with the support of CHP lawmakers.Moreover, if early presidential elections were held before 2028, current political dynamics would likely improve Erdoğan's electoral prospects. Recent judicial rulings have sidelined several of his strongest potential challengers, most notably İmamoğlu. Should Kılıçdaroğlu choose to run, Erdoğan's chances would likely increase further, given Kılıçdaroğlu's limited popular support and the deep divisions within the CHP.5. Intensifying European Criticism of Turkey: Özel's removal is likely to further complicate Turkey's already stalled accession process with the European Union. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul <a href="https://turkiyetodays.com/%D8%A3%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%82%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">stated</a> that the court's recent decision was inconsistent with Turkey's aspirations to join the European Union.EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anitta Hipper likewise emphasized that, as an EU candidate country and a member of the Council of Europe, Turkey is expected to uphold the rule of law and democratic standards. She argued that the arrests of opposition officials raise serious questions regarding judicial independence and the guarantees necessary for free political activity.The Party of European Socialists (PES) Group in the European Committee of the Regions also condemned the ruling, describing it as a direct assault on political pluralism in Turkey.Despite these criticisms, the European Union has little scope to provide direct support to Turkey's opposition. Instead, it is likely to continue conditioning any revival of Turkey's accession negotiations on concrete commitments by Ankara to uphold the rule of law, strengthen democratic standards, safeguard political freedoms, and improve its human rights record—longstanding demands that successive Turkish governments have largely resisted implementing.ConclusionThe leadership crisis within Turkey's CHP has added another layer of complexity to the country's political landscape, raising questions about the independence of the judiciary and the credibility of Turkey's democratic process.Several scenarios remain possible. The first is a formal split within the opposition, with Kılıçdaroğlu retaining control of the CHP while Özel establishes a new political party. A second scenario is the continuation of the leadership dispute without a definitive resolution. A third possibility is that Özel could be reinstated through a future judicial ruling. Finally, the party could elect a new leader through holding another party congress.

The Leadership Crisis in Turkey’s Main Opposition Party