Ozgur Ozel, leader of Turkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), stands for the national anthem during the opening session of the party’s 22nd extraordinary congress in Ankara, Turkey, September 21, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Turkiye’s main opposition re-elected Ozgur Ozel as leader on Sunday (September 21, 2025) at an extraordinary congress called in a bid to shield him and other party chiefs from a court ruling next month that could order their ouster.
An Ankara court is set to rule over whether to annul the 2023 congress of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) where Mr. Ozel was elected chairman over alleged irregularities, a case government critics say highlights Turkey’s slide towards autocracy under President Tayyip Erdogan. The ruling, which is being closely watched in financial markets, had been expected earlier in September but was delayed until October 24.
Of 917 votes cast at Sunday’s CHP gathering, 835 were deemed valid and all went to Mr. Ozel, the party said.
By securing a fresh mandate from party delegates, CHP officials hope to reduce the risk that the upcoming court ruling on the 2023 congress could unseat Mr. Ozel.
Twelve CHP members, including jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu – Erdogan’s biggest political rival – face charges that range from offering delegates cash and jobs to violating Turkiye’s political parties law. All deny wrongdoing.
The court rejected prosecutors’ requests to suspend Mr. Ozel and his administration in the meantime.
Mr. Ozel has risen to prominence since Imamoglu’s detention in March, emerging as Erdogan’s next biggest rival.
Mr. Erdogan, whose ruling AK Party has dominated Turkish politics for more than two decades, has repeatedly attacked the CHP over the allegations, calling last year’s vote “tainted” and a “fraudulent process”.
The CHP is the biggest opposition force in parliament and controls Turkiye’s largest cities, including Istanbul and Ankara.
Published – September 21, 2025 11:07 pm IST
