Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party has been plunged into a deepening leadership crisis after a court annulled the party’s 2023 congress, setting off a power struggle between reinstated former chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and ex-chair Özgür Özel amid clashes at party headquarters and growing uncertainty over who will ultimately lead the opposition.
Attention is now shifting to how and how quickly the CHP can resolve the dispute, with rival camps sharply divided over the timing and format of an eventual congress that could decide the leadership question.
Özel and his allies are pushing for an early extraordinary congress to settle the crisis. Following a phone call after the court ruling, Özel insisted he would not compromise and reiterated his demand for a swift vote.
“We want elections as soon as possible, we want a congress,” Özel said.
Kılıçdaroğlu’s camp has taken a more cautious stance, focusing first on restoring party institutions. Party Council member Müslim Sarı said after meeting Kılıçdaroğlu that the reinstated chair plans to convene the Party Council and disciplinary board after the holiday before outlining a roadmap.
