Significant changes to the CHP charter: Term limits, primary elections, and new membership requirements
The new regulations adopted at the CHP Charter Congress include significant changes regarding intra-party democracy, membership requirements, and the election process. Quotas reserved for women and youth, the powers of the chairman, and primary election criteria were among the prominent topics.
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The details of the new charter text presented to party delegates at the Republican People's Party (CHP) Charter Congress have been announced. While changes were made to important topics such as membership conditions, the powers of the chairman, and the congress and convention calendar in the charter, regulations such as reserving quotas for women and youth drew attention.
NEW REGULATION ON CHAIRMANSHIP POWERS
According to the report by Cumhuriyet, an important article regarding the powers of the chairman stood out among the changes made at the congress. According to the new regulation, the chairman's authority to make statements binding the party can only be delegated to one of the members of the Central Executive Board (MYK). Previously, this authority could be given to any person chosen by the chairman.
CONGRESS AND CONVENTION CALENDAR CHANGED
The congresses and conventions that the CHP holds every two years will be held every three years under the new charter. This change will take effect immediately, and the next regular congress is planned to be held in 2026 instead of 2025. In addition, according to the regulation made for the chairmanship candidacy, it was stated that the incumbent chairman can only be a candidate by their own request and the obligation to collect signatures has been removed.
PRIMARY ELECTION REGULATION
New criteria regarding the use of primary elections and other methods in parliamentary and mayoral candidacy processes have been added to the charter. With the recommendation of provincial and district organizations, the Party Assembly will be able to decide between primary elections or different methods. Furthermore, in primary elections held under the supervision of the organization, the administration will have a 15 percent candidate determination quota. 5 percent of this quota will be reserved for youth branches and 5 percent for women's branches.
In primary elections to be held under judicial supervision, the headquarters quota will be limited to 5 percent. A person will be able to be a candidate for a maximum of three terms; after three terms, they will be required to participate in a primary election to be a candidate.
NEW MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
New obligations have also been introduced for party members in the charter. It has become mandatory for members to attend party meetings, take part in elections, and participate in digital party activities. In addition, membership dues will be changed to range between 120 TL and 6,000 TL. To be able to vote in intra-party elections, a one-year membership period, regular payment of dues, and fulfillment of other membership requirements have been made mandatory.
FOUNDATION WEEK ADDED TO THE CHARTER
The anniversary of the Sivas Congress, which Atatürk accepted as the first congress of the CHP, has also been added to the charter as the "Party's Foundation Week." Accordingly, the party's anniversary will be celebrated every year between September 4-9 with scientific, artistic, and cultural events.