Nihat Matkap, who previously served as group deputy chairman, general treasurer, and Minister of Labor and Social Security within the CHP, has announced his resignation from party membership.
In a statement on his social media account, Matkap noted that his decision did not stem from personal resentment or a political settling of scores. He cited the failure to meet the demand for an extraordinary convention and the legal developments during this process as the reasons for his resignation.
The root of our country's accumulated heavy problems today lies in the wrong policies and management approach of the 25-year AKP government. The primary duty of opposition parties is not to extend the life of the government, but to realize a change in government through democratic means as soon as possible. For me, justice is the foundation not only of state administration but also of political parties. A political party that demands democracy, law, and justice must first adhere to these values within itself. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Law on Political Parties and the CHP Charter, a demand for an extraordinary convention was put forward with the sufficient number of notarized signatures from the 38th Convention delegates. Despite this, after the CHP administration appointed by the court failed to fulfill the requirements of this application, a lawsuit was filed at the Ankara 28th Civil Court of Peace. Because of my belief in justice, rights, and the law, I constantly maintained my hope that the extraordinary convention would be convened. However, the fact that the court panel displayed an approach that prolonged the process instead of concluding the case at the first hearing has unfortunately put an end to this hope. This process has created a serious and concrete concern for me that the appointed CHP administration has entered into an understanding that serves the continuation of the existing order rather than shortening the political life of the AKP government. I do not accept this understanding. In my message published on social media on August 1, 2026, I clearly stated that I would resign from the CHP if a promising decision regarding the convening of the CHP Extraordinary Convention was not issued by the Ankara 28th Civil Court of Peace at the hearing to be held on October 2, 2026. Today is the day I fulfill that promise. I am filled with great bitterness and sadness. Because for me, the CHP is not just a political party. The CHP is the political representative of the Republic, democracy, the rule of law, justice, and popular sovereignty. It is not possible for me to continue my political journey with a CHP that has moved away from its founding philosophy, democratic values, and the spirit of its own charter. For this reason, I resigned from CHP membership today. This decision of mine is not the result of resentment, personal expectation, or a political settling of scores. This decision is the result of my commitment to justice, law, democracy, and the founding values of the Republican People's Party. I may have left the CHP; however, I will never give up my belief in the Republic, democracy, the law, and the struggle for justice.
— Nihat Matkap (@NihatMatkap) November 6, 2026
Recalling in his statement that the 38th Convention delegates had requested an extraordinary convention with notarized signatures, Matkap emphasized that the CHP administration appointed by the court did not fulfill the requirements of this application. Stating that a lawsuit was filed at the Ankara 28th Civil Court of Peace for this reason, Matkap noted that he reached the conclusion that the process was being prolonged instead of being concluded at the first hearing.
Matkap reminded that in his previous statement, he had announced that he would resign from the CHP if a promising decision regarding the convening of the extraordinary convention did not emerge from the hearing on October 2, 2026, and stated that he was fulfilling this promise.
"It is not possible for me to continue my political journey with a CHP that has moved away from its founding philosophy, democratic values, and the spirit of its own charter. For this reason, I resigned from CHP membership today."
Continuing his criticisms of the current administration's stance, Matkap expressed his belief that this understanding serves the continuation of the existing order rather than shortening the political life of the AKP government. He emphasized that even though he has left the CHP, he will not give up the struggle for the Republic, democracy, law, and justice.
News Source: 12punto
