A Turkish court in Ankara has effectively removed Ozgur Ozel, the head of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), by annulling the 2023 congress that elected him. The ruling declares the congress null and void and orders that Ozel be replaced by his predecessor, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
The case involves allegations of vote buying during the November 2023 congress, with prosecutors alleging that Ozel secured his position through promises of jobs and other kickbacks. While a lower court had previously ruled against claims of irregularities and misconduct surrounding the election, Thursday’s appeals court decision overturned that original verdict.
This ruling is seen as a legal victory for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a significant blow to his political challengers, which has also hit financial markets. While Ozel has vowed not to give in, the decision led to frantic meetings at the CHP’s Ankara headquarters.
The move further threatens the opposition’s chances of unseating President Erdogan after more than two decades in office. Although the next presidential election is due in 2028, Erdogan can call for an early vote. Additionally, the CHP mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, has been imprisoned since March last year and is currently on trial on corruption charges.