CHP rival camps trade accusations as leadership feud deepens

Competing rallies highlight party divisions

Rival factions within Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) traded fresh accusations on Saturday as competing gatherings in Ankara underscored deepening divisions following a court ruling that reinstated former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as the party’s legal chair. Supporters of incumbent CHP Chair Ozgur Ozel gathered at a rally after last week’s court decision annulled the party’s 2023 congress, with some participants criticizing Kilicdaroglu for accepting the ruling and returning to party headquarters. Meanwhile, Kilicdaroglu hosted a separate gathering at CHP headquarters, where he defended the court’s decision and accused his opponents of damaging the party through alleged corruption and political misconduct.

"Did we build this party so that its reputation could be trampled in courtrooms?" Kilicdaroglu told supporters. Referring to CHP as a legacy entrusted by Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, he questioned who had dragged the party into legal disputes and accused unnamed figures of betraying it through "personal ambitions" and "backroom calculations."

Ozel challenges rivals to primary election

Ozel struck a defiant tone before his supporters, demanding an open contest to settle the leadership question. "I’m ready to compete against whichever delegate you want, against every delegate. Set a date for the convention," he said. "Let’s put it before the 2 million CHP members and let the people choose whom they want. If I get less than 85%, I won’t run as a candidate." Ozel added that he wanted "a primary election with the participation of all members," signaling confidence that a direct vote would vindicate his leadership.

Court ruling restores pre-congress administration

The latest exchanges came days after Ankara’s Regional Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling declaring the CHP’s fall 2023 congress legally invalid under the principle of "absolute nullity." The court ruled that serious allegations surrounding the congress required the results to be annulled and temporarily restored Kilicdaroglu’s pre-congress administration until a new leadership vote is held. The case was brought by former CHP members and delegates who alleged widespread irregularities during the congress that saw Ozel defeat Kilicdaroglu and end the latter’s 13-year leadership of the party. The plaintiffs claimed delegates were offered money, political favors, municipal positions, and employment opportunities in exchange for supporting Ozel — allegations that Ozel and his allies have consistently denied.

Kilicdaroglu escalates rhetoric on 'cleansing' party

Kilicdaroglu escalated his criticism of rivals on Saturday, vowing to purge CHP of "bribe-takers and thieves." "We will cleanse ourselves. We will cleanse ourselves of bribe-takers and thieves. First CHP, then Türkiye will be cleansed," he said. He also apologized to supporters for what he described as failing to identify "FETO agents" who had allegedly infiltrated the movement he launched for "justice and the nation’s future" — a reference to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization. Kilicdaroglu further accused unnamed figures of seeking support from foreign actors behind closed doors. The ruling reopened a leadership battle that has divided the CHP since the 2023 congress, with Ozel’s supporters arguing the decision represents judicial interference in the internal affairs of the country’s largest opposition party.