Turkish Court Orders Removal of Istanbul Opposition Administration
A Turkish court annulled the 2023 Istanbul provincial congress of the main opposition CHP, ordering the removal of its local leadership over alleged vote rigging and cash payments, escalating legal and political pressure on the party.
On September 2, 2025, a Turkish court delivered a dramatic verdict annulling the 2023 Istanbul provincial congress of the Republican People's Party (CHP), the nation's main opposition force, and ordering the removal of its entire local leadership. The court found that the congress vote had been influenced by cash payments, invalidating the appointment of Istanbul branch leader Ozgur Celik and 195 other officials. This ruling comes amid a wave of legal challenges targeting the CHP, which recently achieved significant electoral victories against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Legal and Political Fallout
The court's decision is widely viewed as a major setback for the CHP, whose leadership immediately condemned the move as a "judicial coup." CHP chair Ozgur Ozel, speaking after an emergency meeting, declared, "The court's decision is politically and legally null and void. We do not recognise it... we will not surrender." Other party officials echoed this sentiment, describing the ruling as a clear attempt to undermine Turkish democracy and the opposition's electoral gains. The CHP has called for an emergency congress to prevent what it alleges is a government-backed effort to seize control of the party through judicial means.
The legal pressure on the CHP has intensified since the March 2024 local elections, when the party won a historic victory in Istanbul and other major cities. Following these wins, Istanbul's popular mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was jailed on corruption charges, sparking nationwide protests and allegations that the government is using the judiciary to hobble its rivals. Multiple corruption investigations have since been launched against CHP municipalities, resulting in the suspension of several mayors, including those of Antalya and Adana, and at least 12 district mayors.
Allegations and Broader Implications
The court's ruling cited alleged vote buying and irregularities at the Istanbul congress, with an indictment filed against Celik and nine other party members for purported cash offers and other benefits. If convicted, these individuals could face up to three years in prison. Political analysts suggest that this case may be a "rehearsal" for further legal action targeting the CHP's national leadership, potentially threatening the position of party chair Ozgur Ozel, who succeeded longtime leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu in November 2023.
The fallout from the court's decision was immediate and far-reaching. The Istanbul BIST 100 stock index dropped sharply, reflecting investor concerns over political instability. Some observers argue that the government is attempting to reverse the CHP's electoral gains by leveraging the courts to install more compliant party leadership, possibly even restoring Kilicdaroglu. The CHP and its supporters maintain that these legal maneuvers represent a systematic effort to erode democratic institutions and suppress opposition voices, as evidenced by the replacement of elected officials with government-appointed trustees in several municipalities.
As the CHP vows to resist what it calls a "judicial coup," the coming weeks are likely to see intensified political and legal battles, with the future of Turkey's opposition and its ability to contest future elections hanging in the balance.