Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party has been thrown into a deepening internal crisis after a court ruling effectively removed its leader, Özgür Özel, and annulled the 2023 party congress that had brought him to power.
The decision reinstates former CHP chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who led the party for 13 years before losing the leadership contest to Özel. The ruling has triggered intense tensions within the party, with Özel’s supporters rejecting the decision and preparing an appeal.
According to Turkish and international reports, the case concerns the 2023 CHP congress, which prosecutors claimed was marred by irregularities. The court ruling suspends Özel and the party’s executive board, dealing a major blow to Turkey’s largest opposition party at a politically sensitive moment.
Large crowds gathered outside CHP offices on Thursday, particularly in Ankara, where Özel addressed supporters and signalled that the party would resist the ruling. He reportedly refused to speak by telephone with Kılıçdaroğlu, while all scenarios remain open over the party’s next steps.
On Friday morning, CHP officials used two buses to block the entrance to the party’s headquarters, in an apparent attempt to prevent police from entering the building.
The party is expected to challenge the ruling before Turkey’s higher courts. The decision has also fuelled speculation over early elections, as the opposition faces renewed pressure at a time when it is already weakened by legal cases against senior figures.
Tarihi bir an…
— Karadeniz Sefiri (@KaradenizSefiri) May 22, 2026
22 Mayıs 2026 sabah saatleri…
Türkiye’nin ana muhalefet partisi CHP, genel merkezinin önüne polis ve TOMA’ların girmesini engellemek amacıyla giriş kapısını iki otobüsle kapattı. pic.twitter.com/5D0d1BKPwc
Floods Leave Three Dead in Hatay
Turkey is also dealing with the aftermath of severe floods and landslides in the southern province of Hatay, including Antakya, one of the areas devastated by the 2023 earthquakes.
Heavy rain flooded shops, roads and farmland, while schools were closed because of the severe weather. According to AP, three people have died, including a 15-year-old boy killed when a house collapsed during a landslide in Antakya. Rescue crews also pulled several people alive from floodwaters as emergency operations continued.
Source: ertnews.gr
