All eyes on the extraordinary congress in the CHP: Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's decision on candidacy

The Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance has removed Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik and his administration from office on the grounds of irregularities during the CHP İstanbul Provincial Congress. The court appointed former deputy Gürsel Tekin as a trustee in his place.

It is assessed that this development could also reflect on the ongoing case in Ankara, which was filed with the request for the cancellation of the CHP congress. The next hearing for the case in question will be held on September 15.

SIGNATURES FROM DELEGATES FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS

While the debates over the trustee continue, approximately one thousand party members, excluding those from Istanbul whose delegate status was revoked, collected their signatures through a notary and submitted them to the CHP Headquarters.

Following the attainment of the sufficient number of signatures specified in the party bylaws, it was announced with the signature of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel that the 22nd Extraordinary Congress will convene in Ankara on Sunday, September 21, at 10:00 AM. At the congress, the party leadership will request a vote of confidence from the delegates.

According to a report in the pro-government newspaper Türkiye, legal experts argue that even if the court removes the current administration from office or terminates the duties of the congress delegates, the congress process cannot be stopped.

It is stated that if the Civil Court of First Instance in Ankara reappoints Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu or another name on September 15, the new administration would also be obliged to carry out the extraordinary congress. In CHP backchannels, it is being discussed that possible applications to the Supreme Election Council (YSK) regarding this process would not yield results. It is expressed that the decision to continue with the district congresses in Istanbul will set a precedent for this process.

"THE TRUSTEE WILL SIT THERE FOR 6 DAYS"

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel evaluated the congress to be held on September 21 as a "technical and legal move" and stated the following:

"If a trustee is appointed to the party's chairmanship on September 15, that trustee will stay there for 6 days; 6 days later, the party will re-elect its elected chairman."

EMPHASIS ON YSK FROM LEGAL EXPERTS

CHP Ankara Deputy and legal expert Umut Akdoğan also stated in his remarks regarding the congress process, "Because the YSK's decision is the guarantee of this. The election board is obliged to hold the CHP's congress. A contrary decision would be overturned by the YSK due to complete illegality, as was the case in Istanbul. Whether a trustee is appointed or the CHP administration remains, no one can cancel this congress, which is gathered at the request of the delegates."

Akdoğan emphasized that even if a trustee were appointed, this situation would last at most one week, saying, "This absurdity will last at most until the provincial congress."

DECISION ON CANDIDACY FROM KILIÇDAROĞLU

It is not considered certain that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will be a candidate for the chairmanship at the extraordinary congress. However, it is being discussed in backchannels that names close to Kılıçdaroğlu might put forward a separate list for the Party Assembly.

According to the CHP bylaws, the signatures of at least 5 percent of the delegates are required for a chairmanship candidacy. Since the CHP has more than 1,320 delegates, those who wish to become candidates must obtain the support of at least 67 delegates.