The Istanbul 45th (Asliye Hukuk) civil court of first instance on September 2 annulled the last congress held by the Istanbul provincial headquarters of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), according to local media reports.

As a result, CHP Istanbul chair Ozgur Celik and his fellow board members were dismissed. Gursel Tekin, Zeki Sen, Hasan Babacan, Mujdat Gurbuz and Erkan Narsap were appointed as trustees to replace the management.

Borsa Istanbul circuit breakers activated

As the news of the ousting based on alleged irregularities broke, circuit breakers and the uptick rule on short selling on the Borsa Istanbul were activated as shares dived. 

Turkey on edge once again

Celik said the the official notice of the court’s decision was yet to be served and that he was on his way to the provincial HQ. Technically, the CHP has the right to file an objection to the move at the regional court within two weeks after receiving the official notice.

If the CHP resists handing over the provincial HQ to the trustees, political tensions in Turkey will once more be in sharp view.

Tekin, a typical CHP politician

Of the board of trustees, Tekin is a well-known figure who resigned from the CHP last year. The other four are not known to the public. But Tekin informed the public that all four were former district chairs of the CHP in Istanbul.

In April, bne IntelliNews reported that Tekin was among the names circulated as potential candidates for possible trustee appointments at the CHP.

CHP national congress at risk

The congress annulled by the court was held on October 8, 2023. Also annulled were all decisions taken at the gathering.

According to Turkish legislation, delegates attending the provincial congresses of political parties elect delegates who then vote in polls to elect party chairs.

The congress in question voted for pro-Ozgur Ozel delegates. Ozel, the current national chair of the CHP, won his party’s leadership contest in November 2023.

Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city. CHP Istanbul elected 196 of the 1,368 delegates who were eligible to vote in the national party congress.

These 196 were also dismissed by the court decision. Given that they voted in the party leadership poll, Ozel’s right to his post is now subject to heightened risk.

September 15: next CHP trial hearing

A trial concerning the November 2023 national CHP party congress is being conducted by the Ankara 42nd (Asliye Hukuk) Civil Court of First Instance. The next hearing in this case will be held on September 15.

Technically, the 196 votes cast by the Istanbul delegates are null and void. As a result, the Ankara 42nd civil court is now supposed to annul the party congress and, as a result, dismiss the party management.

Ozel’s predecessor Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who was defeated in the leadership contest, has informed journalists many times over that he is ready to replace Ozel should the court dismiss him.