Turkey’s principal opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), recently held an extraordinary congress on Sunday, September 21, 2025, to re-elect Ozgur Ozel as its leader. This decisive move aims to safeguard Ozel and other party officials from a crucial court decision anticipated next month, which could potentially invalidate their leadership.
The Ankara court is currently deliberating on whether to annul the CHP’s 2023 congress, where Mr. Ozel was first elected chairman. This annulment is sought due to alleged irregularities during that election. Critics of the government view this legal challenge as further evidence of Turkey’s increasing authoritarian tendencies under President Tayyip Erdogan’s leadership. Originally expected in early September, the court’s critical decision has now been postponed until October 24, a development closely monitored by financial markets.
During Sunday’s CHP assembly, a total of 917 votes were cast. Of these, 835 were declared valid, and every single one was cast in favor of Mr. Ozel, according to an official statement from the party.
By securing this fresh mandate from the party delegates, CHP officials are strategically working to mitigate the risk that the impending court ruling regarding the 2023 congress could lead to Mr. Ozel’s removal from his position.
A dozen members of the CHP, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu—a significant political challenger to President Erdogan—are currently facing charges. These allegations span from offering financial incentives and job opportunities to delegates to outright violations of Turkey’s political parties law. All individuals implicated in these charges maintain their innocence.
In the interim, the court has dismissed the prosecutors’ requests to suspend Mr. Ozel and his current administration.
Since the detention of Imamoglu in March, Mr. Ozel has rapidly ascended to a prominent role, establishing himself as President Erdogan’s formidable new political adversary.
President Erdogan, whose AK Party has held a dominant position in Turkish politics for over two decades, has consistently criticized the CHP regarding these allegations. He has publicly denounced last year’s election as “tainted” and a “fraudulent process.”
The CHP stands as the largest opposition force within parliament and currently governs Turkiye’s most significant cities, including the crucial municipalities of Istanbul and Ankara.