Notable move by CHP members ahead of party congress lawsuit: They have filed an application

The lawsuit, which was filed in separate courts by former Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Lütfü Savaş—who was expelled from the CHP—and several delegates, seeking the cancellation of the 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023, and the removal of authorized boards from office, and which was subsequently consolidated at the Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance, will continue tomorrow.

Options such as absolute nullity—meaning the congress in question would be considered invalid—the possibility of appointing a trustee, or an adjournment of the hearing are being discussed.

Ahead of the lawsuit that has gripped Turkey, another notable step has been taken by CHP members.

Members of the CHP Party Assembly (PM) and the High Disciplinary Board (YDK), who were elected at the 38th Ordinary Congress that is being challenged, have submitted a petition to the court requesting to join the lawsuit as intervening parties alongside the CHP Headquarters, pointing out that the decision to be rendered will affect them.

The following statements were included in the petition of the members who requested to join:

The plaintiff side claims that some delegates at the congress voted in exchange for financial gain, that their will was corrupted, and that for this reason, the congress should be cancelled. The allegations put forward by the plaintiff side regarding the voting and election process at the congress, such as 'voting in exchange for financial gain' and 'the will being corrupted,' are not based on any concrete evidence and are baseless and intended to mislead the public.

My election to this position at the congress took place entirely through a free, equal, and transparent election process, by the will of the delegates. Like all PM and YDK members elected at the congress, I came to office as a result of an election held in accordance with the party bylaws and the Law on Political Parties.

"AN ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY"

These abstract accusations put forward by the plaintiff side constitute a grave attack not only on me but also on the entire will of the delegates and intra-party democracy. Therefore, there is no doubt that the decision to be rendered as a result of the lawsuit will have an effect on me.

For these reasons, the need has arisen to request intervention in this lawsuit alongside the defendant CHP, in accordance with Article 66 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This request of mine is important not only for a personal legal interest but also for defending the validity and legitimacy of the votes based on representative authority in terms of the functioning of democratic life.

News Source: 12punto