Decision day arrives for CHP: How did we get to this point in the party congress lawsuit?

The third hearing in the lawsuit filed for the annulment of the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP, held on November 4–5, 2023, will take place today at the Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance. In the case, which has resonated widely with the public, the court is expected to deliver a ruling that could have both legal and political implications. It is possible that a decision will be reached, but a further postponement of the process is also among the possibilities.

CONGRESS PROCESS AND DEBATES

At the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress, Özgür Özel was elected chairman with 812 votes in the second round, while Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu remained at 536 votes. Following these results, former Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Lütfü Savaş and some delegates filed a lawsuit in February, alleging irregularities in the congress.

In the petition, it was argued that the congress should be "legally considered void" in terms of both its content and the formation of its governing bodies, and a nullity ruling was requested. It was demanded that Özgür Özel's chairmanship and the duties of the officials elected at the congress be deemed invalid. Additionally, the reinstatement of Kılıçdaroğlu to his post was also included in the file.

EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS AND NEW ELECTION

Seeking to lower the tension in the process, Özgür Özel took his party to an extraordinary congress on April 6, 2025. At this congress, Özel refreshed his mandate by receiving 1,171 votes out of 1,276 delegates. However, this second congress was also added to the case file. The entire process was consolidated by the Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance and began to be evaluated within the framework of a single trial.

'ABSOLUTE NULLITY' ENTERED INTO OFFICIAL RECORDS

The first hearing regarding the case was held on April 17, 2025. At the second hearing on May 26, the trial was postponed due to missing documents, and June 30 was set for the third hearing. During this process, the term "absolute nullity" was added to the petitions and entered into the official records. This situation brought about comments that the court would seriously evaluate the annulment requests.

REQUEST FOR INTERVENTION FROM CHP CADRES

Members of the Party Assembly (PM) and the High Disciplinary Board (YDK) elected at the congress stated that the outcome of the case directly concerns them and requested to join the case as secondary interveners (auxiliary parties). In the petition submitted to the court, it was argued that questioning the legitimacy of the governing bodies would damage both political and institutional stability.

KILIÇDAROĞLU: "I WILL NOT HAND THE PARTY OVER TO A TRUSTEE"

Former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu did not remain silent on the process. Kılıçdaroğlu expressed his clear stance against a possible trustee decision with the words, "I will not hand the party over to a trustee. If I do not accept the duty, then there is a risk of a trustee. The CHP cannot be handed over to a trustee. Would it be better if a trustee came?"

CHP leader Özgür Özel, in a statement made at Istanbul Airport hours before the hearing, said, "Whatever decision comes out of the court, we are ready." He sent the message that the process was being conducted with political motives, saying, "The goal is to create controversy around the CHP, which became the first party in the last local elections. The Republican People's Party is standing tall. But let them not prolong this business any further and persecute us anymore."