CHP Congress Annulment Lawsuit Postponed Without Precautionary Measure

Case Overview

The lawsuit seeking the annulment of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) congresses remains a focal point in Turkish politics. The case concerns both the 38th Ordinary Congress (November 4–5, 2023) and the 21st Extraordinary Congress (April 6, 2025). The fifth hearing took place at the Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance, which postponed proceedings to October 24, 2025, without issuing precautionary measures. This decision allows the extraordinary congress on September 21 to proceed unhindered.

Court’s Interim Decision

The court requested the reasoned ruling from the Ankara 3rd Civil Court of First Instance, which had previously rejected the annulment demand of the CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress. This reasoning will be added to the case file and help shape future deliberations.

No Suspension of CHP Leadership

Plaintiffs asked the court to suspend CHP Chair Özgür Özel, the Party Assembly, and the Central Executive Committee. The court rejected this request, ruling there was no basis for such a measure. As a result, the September 21 congress can move forward without legal obstacles.

Delegate List to Be Requested After Congress

The court decided that the delegate list and consolidation reports from the Çankaya District Election Board related to the September 21 congress will only be collected after the event concludes.

Reactions and Attendance

The hearing was attended by CHP lawyers Çağlar Çağlayan and Mehmet Can Keysan, and by Onur Yusuf Üregen, representing certain delegates.

• Özgür Özel monitored developments from party headquarters during a Central Executive Committee meeting.
• Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu followed the case from his home.
• Gürsel Tekin, who had been appointed trustee to Istanbul CHP by court order, tracked the hearing from the party’s old district office in Sarıyer.

Lütfü Savaş’s Legal Challenge

Lawyer Onur Üregen, representing former Hatay Metropolitan Mayor Lütfü Savaş, argued that the 2023 congress violated public order and should be annulled. He accused Ekrem İmamoğlu and Özgür Özel of orchestrating irregularities during voting. Üregen further demanded that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu be appointed trustee over CHP.

CHP’s Legal Response

CHP lawyer Çağlar Çağlayan countered by stressing that the Supreme Election Council (YSK), not civil courts, has jurisdiction over party congress issues. He also emphasized that Lütfü Savaş had lost his party membership rights due to disciplinary action, undermining his legal standing to file the case.

Broader Political Context

The annulment lawsuit is part of ongoing internal disputes within CHP after recent congresses. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office previously investigated the 38th Ordinary Congress. Multiple lawsuits filed by Savaş and other delegates were consolidated earlier this year, creating a legal battle that continues to attract attention from both party leaders and the wider public.

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