FILE - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures during a press conference after the plenary session at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
Republican People’s Party or (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel, center, arrives to a ceremony to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the foundation of the party at Taksim square, Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
A supporter of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party or (CHP) kisses a image of former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem 陌mamoglu during a party rally, in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Turkish court delays verdict in case that could oust opposition party’s leader
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) 鈥 A Turkish court on Monday delayed a verdict in a case seeking the annulment of an internal leadership election of the country鈥檚 main opposition party over alleged irregularities, a decision that could restore the party鈥檚 unpopular former leader and inflame political tensions.
FILE - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures during a press conference after the plenary session at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) 鈥 A Turkish court on Monday delayed a verdict in a case seeking the annulment of an internal leadership election of the country鈥檚 main opposition party over alleged irregularities, a decision that could restore the party鈥檚 unpopular former leader and inflame political tensions.
The court in Ankara adjourned the trial over the legitimacy of the 38th congress of Republican People鈥檚 Party, or CHP, until Oct. 24. The congress in 2023 ousted long-time leader and elected current chairman Ozgur Ozel.
The case alleges electoral fraud including buying votes and procedural violations. The CHP has denied the accusations, describing the legal action as a politically motivated attempt by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government to undermine the opposition through judicial pressure rather than democratic means.
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Erdogan鈥檚 government maintains Turkey鈥檚 courts are impartial and free from political interference, insisting investigations into the party are solely focused on corruption.
Critics view the case as part of a broader crackdown on the CHP, which made significant gains in last year鈥檚 local elections. They argue the move is designed to weaken the opposition ahead of national elections scheduled for 2028, which could be held earlier.
Municipalities controlled by the . Among those targeted is , who remains in pre-trial custody on corruption charges he denies. Imamoglu is widely seen as a potential challenger to Erdogan and his March arrest triggered .
Earlier this month, a court removed and appointed an interim chairman to oversee the local branch. Police escorted the court-appointed official to the party鈥檚 Istanbul headquarters, using pepper spray to disperse party members and supporters who resisted his arrival.
During a rally in Ankara on Sunday, Ozel called the crackdown on the CHP a 鈥渏udicial coup鈥 and vowed to resist moves to undermine Turkey鈥檚 oldest political party.
If the congress is annulled, the court could appoint trustees to oversee the party or reinstate Kilicdaroglu as chairman, a move likely to deepen internal divisions.
Kilicdaroglu has signaled his willingness to return to leadership but observers note he remains deeply unpopular among CHP supporters after a string of electoral defeats against Erdogan.
