May 24, 2026, 12:23 p.mMay 24, 2026, 12:23 p.m
Supporters of the deposed CHP chairman Özgür Özel in front of the party office in Ankara on Friday evening.Image: keystone
The Turkish authorities have ordered the evacuation of the party headquarters in Ankara after the removal of the head of the largest opposition party CHP. This will implement the court ruling that temporarily reinstalled former party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as party leader, the governor’s office in Ankara announced.
The incumbent party leader Özgür Özel had not left the party headquarters since his court deposition on Thursday and had holed up inside with members of his party. SWAT police gathered in front of CHP headquarters and set up barriers, as seen in pictures.
Party conference in focus
A court in Ankara declared the 2023 party conference, at which Özel was elected CHP chairman, invalid due to alleged irregularities and deposed Özel. In his place, the court temporarily appointed Özel’s controversial predecessor Kilicdaroglu.
Kilicdaroglu, 77, was CHP leader for more than ten years. He lost to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the election three years ago – and then to Özel in the fight for the party leadership.
The verdict is seen as a serious blow for Erdogan’s political opponents. Observers see the decision as politically motivated. The government, on the other hand, emphasizes the independence of the judiciary. The verdict is not yet final. (sda/dpa)