Turkey court rules to oust opposition leader in latest blow to Erdogan's challengers
The ruling deepens pressure on the opposition as markets fell 6% and party members called for protests at headquarters, officials said.
- On Thursday, a Turkish court ousted Republican People's Party Chairman Ozgur Ozel, annulling the 2023 congress that elected him and ordering former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu to replace him.
- The Ankara court based its decision on allegations of vote rigging during the 38th Ordinary Elective Congress, overturning a lower court's ruling from last year that found no substance to the case.
- Turkey's main Borsa Istanbul index dropped 6% while sovereign bonds slid 1.2 cents; CHP deputy parliamentary group chair Ali Mahir Basarir rejected the ruling, calling it an 'attempted coup' against the nation.
- Kilicdaroglu indicated willingness to reclaim his former role, stating "May this decision be beneficial to Turkey and CHP," while the party faces an ongoing judicial crackdown that has resulted in hundreds of detentions.
- The status of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the party's imprisoned presidential candidate, remains uncertain as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan weighs calling for an early vote before the scheduled 2028 election.
77 Articles
77 Articles
A Turkish court has annulled the election of the leadership of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), sparking political turmoil and a backlash from the opposition. The ruling concerns the 2023 congress, where Özgür Özel was elected party chairman, euronews reports. Prosecutors allege that vote-buying and promises of jobs in exchange for support for Özel took place during the congress. A court had earlier dismissed the case for lac…
According to the court ruling, former party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu would have to take over the leadership of the party again. The decision divides the Turkish opposition even further. It is another chapter in the debate over the independence of the judiciary in Turkey.
Turkish court ousts opposition leader in boost to Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was handed a considerable boost on Thursday when an appeals court in Ankara annulled the congress which elected Ozgur Ozel as the leader of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). Ozel was chosen CHP chairman at the party's 2023 congress, taking over from former opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, a 77-year-old politician considered little threat to Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (…
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