A critical date approaches for the CHP... What happens if the court issues an 'Absolute Nullity' ruling?

The main opposition party, the CHP, is locked on the lawsuit regarding the cancellation of the June 30 convention. If an 'Absolute Nullity' ruling—which means 'void'—is issued, the former CHP administration under the leadership of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will have authority, and the Özgür Özel administration will be rendered void.

Speaking with SÖZCÜ reporter Başak Kaya, Kılıçdaroğlu made statements regarding the controversial intra-party issues of recent days.

If a cancellation ruling is issued and Kılıçdaroğlu returns to office, there is a one-year timeframe for a new convention as required by the party bylaws.

While continuing his work at his office in the Mustafa Kemal neighborhood of Ankara, Kılıçdaroğlu evaluated his future roadmap, reactions from the public, and comments made. In his conversation with SÖZCÜ, Kılıçdaroğlu gave the following messages:

“I am not the one who filed the convention lawsuit. It is a judicial process initiated by delegates who are 'change-seekers.' I did not go to testify in this case so as not to make the party a subject of debate. This is the point we have reached because no response was given when Erdoğan called it a 'dubious convention.'

"THERE IS NOTHING TO DISCUSS WITH MR. ÖZGÜR"

Saying 'I do not recognize' the court's ruling has no legal standing. If I do not accept the duty, then there is a risk of a trustee being appointed. I hope such a ruling is not issued. Why are they so afraid? Would it be better if a trustee came? If I caused a trustee to be appointed, they would react to me this time by saying, 'You managed the party for 13 years, and now you allowed this.'

There is nothing to discuss with Mr. Özgür right now. He can call and we can meet whenever he wants. It is not clear when the ruling will be issued or what it will be. I do not understand these debates. After the ruling is issued, we will sit down and evaluate the situation with Mr. Özgür. If he wants, I will invite him, or we will sit and talk.

"WHO MANAGED IT FOR 13 YEARS?"

I am surprised by the comments made about me in the media. The CHP does not tolerate tutelage. The CHP is Atatürk's party and the party that founded the state. To date, no CHP Chairman has served under tutelage. The CHP does not accept tutelage. I warned Mr. Özgür when handing over the duty, but he is currently having difficulty making decisions.

I smile at the remarks that 'even if he comes to office, he cannot manage the party.' What does it mean he cannot manage it? Who managed it for 13 years? Who will manage the party if a trustee is appointed? Such a thing is unacceptable.

What kind of management approach would there be if I were to take office? First of all, the party needs to reconcile and integrate. This is not a time for separation. People may have harbored resentment toward one another; we need to break that.

During our meeting with Mr. Mansur and Mr. Vahap, Engin Özkoç spoke the most. Mr. Vahap agreed with me regarding the trustee issue. Mr. Mansur, on the other hand, expressed the opinion that we should come together and resolve this issue. I told them that there is no ruling yet, and that if a ruling is issued, I could not hand the party over to a trustee.

I see the comments made as a trap set for the CHP and me. The court will examine the allegations and present the evidence. There is no such thing as 'I do not recognize the court's ruling.' It is meaningless to say that the ruling would be void if I do not accept the duty. If I do not accept it, a trustee will come. And when a trustee comes, it is not clear when they will convene the convention. Who will manage the party and how until that time? The CHP cannot be handed over to a trustee. The DNA of the CHP is being tampered with. I cannot allow this, we cannot allow this. It is not right for private meetings to be leaked. They did not ask for my permission. Much of the information reflected is incorrect and things that did not happen.

Provincial chairs, district chairs, and friends from the organization are constantly calling and coming to visit. We are talking about the state of Turkey and evaluating these issues. There is no problem. I also tell them to attend the party's meetings; I support it. We also met with Muharrem İnce a few times. He had said he wanted to return to the party."