Calls from AKP to shut down CHP: Response from Özgür Özel

Discussions regarding the potential closure of the Republican People's Party (CHP), which rose to become the leading party in the March 31, 2024 Local Elections, have recently come to the fore in media outlets close to the government. Following corruption operations involving certain CHP-run municipalities, opinions have begun to be voiced suggesting that if a connection to the party's headquarters is established, the party should be shut down.

Lawyer Serdar Tokdemir, a legal expert close to the AK Party who was a parliamentary candidate in the 2023 General Elections, argued regarding the allegations on the agenda that "the claim that Muhittin Böcek and his family benefited from effective remorse and brought 1 million Euros to the CHP Headquarters is strong evidence." Tokdemir stated, "This allegation will have many consequences in the short, medium, and long term. It will also affect the party congress criminal case and the absolute nullity case. These events will bring about absolute nullity in the coming period. Administrators will also face personal criminal liabilities. Immediately following these processes, it is highly probable that the CHP could even face a closure case due to actions contrary to the constitution."

Another legal expert, Hadi Dündar, stated that the party being supported by illegal financing and this financing being accepted at the party headquarters would constitute a constitutional basis for a closure case. Dündar said, "If the CHP is being financed with secret and black money, and if this is happening with the knowledge of the CHP leader, and if money is being received at the Headquarters, it is understood from this that this situation is the party's policy, and according to the constitution, it must be shut down."

RESPONSE FROM CHP CHAIRMAN ÖZGÜR ÖZEL

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel addressed these developing discussions during a recent broadcast on SÖZCÜ TV. Özel announced that they have plans for a backup party against the possibility of a closure case against the party and used the following expressions:

"It is not possible to go back three years and cancel the party congress. It is not something that can happen. What happens if it does? There would be very heavy political pressure. I do not know or recognize the relevant committee, but I am saying this independently of the individuals: This could only happen with extraordinary political pressure and coercion. Look, let the court make its own decision, but attempting to intervene in the Republican People's Party with such methods is free. That is all. Oh, they say if absolute nullity comes, this will happen, that will happen... Let them try. The AK Party would be devastated. The nation does not forgive such things. It is very clear. Oh, they say the CHP will establish another party... I have said it before: Is there a backup party? Yes. But not against absolute nullity; against a closure case. The field of struggle for absolute nullity is the CHP itself. We do not take authority here that the delegates did not give us. And we will not leave the flag that the delegates placed in our hands to anyone."