Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), is set to convene its 22nd extraordinary congress on 21 September. The gathering comes against a backdrop of legal disputes, fraud allegations, and deepening political pressure, with critics accusing the government of trying to neutralize the party.

The congress was triggered by a court case challenging the CHP’s November 2023 leadership election, which saw Özgür Özel replace long-time leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Former Hatay Mayor Lütfü Savaş and several expelled delegates alleged vote-buying and other irregularities. Earlier this month, courts annulled the party’s Istanbul provincial election results, dismissed the provincial leadership, and installed a court-appointed trustee.

As a result, 1,127 delegates will take part in the congress, down from 1,368 in 2023. Istanbul delegates, certain “natural” delegates, and even Özel himself will not be allowed to vote due to ongoing legal proceedings.

Özel, who rose to the leadership after the CHP’s disappointing performance in the 2023 general elections—the party’s best chance in two decades to unseat President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—is expected to remain unchallenged. He won that leadership contest with 59% of the vote against Kılıçdaroğlu’s 39%, ending the latter’s 13-year tenure.

Concerns have........

© Medyascope