Turkey’s Main Opposition Backs Ozel in Emergency Congress

Turkey’s main opposition party re-elected Ozgur Ozel as leader on Sunday during an extraordinary congress held to protect him and other party officials ahead of a key court ruling next month that could order their removal.
An Ankara court will decide whether to annul the 2023 congress of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), where Ozel was elected chairman, due to alleged irregularities. Critics of the government say this case highlights Turkey’s slide towards autocracy under President Tayyip Erdogan.
The ruling, closely watched by financial markets, was expected earlier in September but has been delayed until October 24.
At the congress, 917 votes were cast, with 835 considered valid, and all of those went to Ozel, according to the party.
By securing a fresh mandate from party delegates, CHP officials hope to reduce the risk that the upcoming court ruling on the 2023 congress could unseat Ozel.
Twelve CHP members, including jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu—Erdogan’s biggest political rival—face charges ranging from offering delegates cash and jobs to violating Turkey’s political parties law. All deny wrongdoing.
The court rejected prosecutors’ requests to suspend Ozel and his administration in the meantime.
Ozel has risen to prominence since Imamoglu’s detention in March, emerging as Erdogan’s next biggest rival.
Erdogan, whose ruling AK Party has dominated Turkish politics for more than two decades, has repeatedly attacked the CHP over the allegations, calling last year’s vote “tainted” and a “fraudulent process.”
The CHP is the biggest opposition force in parliament and controls Turkey’s largest cities, including Istanbul and Ankara.