A while ago, a decision adopted at the CHP's 38th congress in 2023 was deemed "absolutely invalid" ("mutlak butlan") by the court. With the court's decision, Özgür Özel, who was elected chairman of the CHP at the 38th congress, was removed from his post, and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was reinstated to the leadership.
On May 24, Özgür Özel was removed from the party headquarters with police intervention. In his address to his supporters, he said that even if they leave the CHP central headquarters, they will return. It is interesting to see how the ongoing processes will turn out.
In his statement to Modern.az, former chairman Özgür Özel's deputy Yankı Bağcıoğlu stated that at the point we have reached today, the Republican People's Party is focusing on the real agenda of the people without wasting time on internal disputes:
“The "absolute invalidity" decision regarding our congress and the subsequent discussions were intended to turn into a process targeting the institutional identity and organizational will of the Republican People's Party. However, the source of legitimacy of our party is the free will of our representatives, the choice of our members, and the determination of our organization. No legal or political discussion is superior to this will.
At the point we have reached today, the Republican People's Party is focusing on the real agenda of our people without wasting time on internal disputes. Deepening economic problems, the search for justice, and the need for democracy and a rule of law are more urgent than ever. Under the leadership of our chairman, esteemed Özgür Özel, our party continues its path to power by preserving its organizational integrity.
For this reason, it is clear that the most correct way to further strengthen the unity and solidarity of our party and put an end to all disputes is to hold an extraordinary congress quickly. The Republican People's Party, as always, will find a way out within democracy, the will of the organization, and the tradition of the congress.”
Y. Bağcıoğlu emphasized that instead of getting lost in the ongoing discussions, they are focusing on the real problems of the people:
“This process has once again shown us that the future of the Republican People's Party is determined not in courtrooms, but by the will of our members, representatives, and our people. We will firmly continue the struggle to rebuild Turkey on the basis of democracy, law, and prosperity by upholding this will.”
Republican People's Party Foreign Policy Coordinator İlhan Üzgel said that what happened was sad:
“But contrary to some claims, there is no division in the party. Our members, voters, and our people are with Özgür Özel and the elected leadership. The participation in the rally we held last Sunday clearly showed this. Our wish is to hold a new party congress in a short time, reorganize the chairman election, and determine the party leadership again through elections."
İ. Üzgel noted that they have already started collecting signatures from delegates for this purpose:
"Our people support the elected leadership and chairman Özgür Özel. It is not possible for our people to accept coming to party leadership by a court decision in Turkey.”
