May 22, 2026, 07:13May 22, 2026, 07:13
The largest opposition party in Turkey, the CHP, has said it has lodged an objection to the removal of its party leader Özgür Özel. A corresponding complaint has been filed with the Supreme Court, Özel told journalists in Ankara on Thursday evening. His party will also contact the electoral authority, which is actually responsible. The court’s decision was not legal.
The CHP is resisting the removal of its party leader Özgür Özel.Image: keystone
The decision was politically motivated and a “black day for democracy,” he continued. “This war was not started against us, but against the people, this coup was not made against us, but against the people,” said Özel.
He announced that he and his party friends would not leave the party headquarters for the time being. “From now on we will be here day and night.” In the evening, numerous supporters gathered in front of the headquarters in Ankara, as can be seen in the pictures.
Opposition parties criticize
A court in the Turkish capital Ankara had previously declared the 2023 party conference at which Özel was elected chairman invalid and ordered his removal. Former party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who lost to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the elections three years ago, is expected to temporarily lead the party. The verdict is not yet final.
The pro-Kurdish Dem party criticized the decision and said the judiciary should not be misused as an instrument to reorganize the political space and shape the opposition. The will of the voters should not be overridden. Other smaller opposition parties also criticized the move. (dab/sda/dpa)