Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel has sworn to fight a court decision that removes him and other party leaders. This legal action further cements President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's control over the country. The appeals court has declared the 2023 leadership contest for the Republican People's Party (CHP) invalid. This led to thousands of people gathering in protest outside party headquarters in Ankara. "We are living a dark day for Turkish democracy," stated Özel. He plans to challenge the ruling through the courts and with the supreme election council (YSK).
Justice Minister Akin Gürlek stated the ruling boosts public confidence in democracy. Gürlek was appointed justice minister by President Erdoğan earlier this year. Before his appointment, he was the chief prosecutor in Istanbul. He led investigations that targeted opposition figures. This included the popular mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu. Imamoğlu is viewed as Erdoğan's main political challenger. He has been in detention for over a year. Gürlek accused Imamoğlu of corruption charges. These charges carry potential sentences of over 2,000 years imprisonment.
The supreme election council was scheduled to meet on Friday to consider the opposition party's objection. The appeals court ruling on Thursday reversed a 2025 lower court decision. That earlier ruling had dismissed claims of vote buying. These claims were made during the CHP primary election. This primary election led to Özgür Özel becoming opposition leader. The appeals court instead decided that Kemal Kilicdaroğlu should be the party leader. Kilicdaroğlu is a 77-year-old party figure. He lost to Erdoğan in the 2023 presidential election. He also lost his position as party leader.
This new ruling also means the party's entire executive committee is replaced. Any decisions made by this committee are now considered invalid. BBC Turkish correspondent Ayşe Sayin reported shock at CHP headquarters. Some members were visibly upset by the news. There were tense moments as some party members removed a photo of Kilicdaroğlu. Others chanted insults calling the former leader a "traitor". Crowds gathered outside CHP headquarters as the court's verdict became known.
Turkey's stock market experienced a significant drop. It fell 6% late on Thursday. The market recovered some ground on Friday morning. President Erdoğan has governed Turkey since 2003. He served as prime minister and then as president. Özel has accused Erdoğan's AK party of trying to eliminate political rivals. Erdoğan, aged 72, can only seek the presidency again. This requires him to call early elections before 2028. Alternatively, he would need to change the constitution.
The CHP leader strongly condemned the court ruling. He described it as a "judicial coup". The party's executive committee rejected the court's authority. "These coup plotters don't come with tanks, cannons, rifles or camouflage; these coup plotters come in judges' and prosecutors' robes," Özel stated. He dismissed suggestions that the party would split. He emphasized that "Tenants leave, homeowners are to stay." Any legal challenge to the ruling in Turkey's Court of Cassation could take a long time. Some believe Özel and his supporters might need to form a new party to contest future elections.
Two prominent CHP figures sent defiant messages. Ekrem Imamoğlu, the jailed and suspended mayor of Istanbul, urged Turks on social media to "stand together for their country." Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş warned that the ruling aimed to divide Turkey's largest opposition party. He suggested this would make the party ineffective. Yavaş also noted economic difficulties. He believes political leaders might call for snap elections soon. In a separate event on Friday, President Erdoğan ordered the closure of Istanbul's Bilgi University. This university educates approximately 22,000 students. Law professor Yaman Akdeniz stated a 30-year-old institution was effectively shut down. He has taught there for 15 years. Turkey's Council of Higher Education is taking steps to assist current students. The goal is to prevent hardship for those enrolled.