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Court decision sparks opposition outrage
Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has pledged to fight a court ruling that annulled its 2023 leadership election, a move critics say strengthens President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's control over the country's political landscape.
Leadership election overturned
An Ankara appeals court declared the CHP's 2023 leadership vote null and void on Thursday, ordering the reinstatement of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the 77-year-old veteran who lost the 2023 presidential election to Erdoğan and was later ousted as party leader. The ruling also invalidates the entire party executive and decisions made under its tenure.
Current CHP leader Özgür Özel condemned the decision as a "judicial coup," vowing to challenge it in Turkey's Court of Cassation and the Supreme Election Council (YSK), which was scheduled to review the opposition's objection on Friday.
"We are experiencing a dark day for Turkish democracy," Özel said, addressing supporters outside the party's Ankara headquarters. "These coup plotters don't come with tanks, cannons, rifles, or camouflage; they come in judges' and prosecutors' robes."
Political fallout and protests
Thousands of CHP supporters gathered outside the party's headquarters following the ruling, with some members reportedly in tears. BBC Turkish correspondent Ayşe Sayın described tense scenes as some attendees removed a photo of Kılıçdaroğlu from the wall, while others chanted that the former leader was a "traitor."
The decision sent Turkey's stock market into a tailspin, with a 6% plunge late Thursday before a partial recovery on Friday morning.
Justice Minister defends ruling
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, appointed by Erdoğan earlier this year, defended the court's decision, stating it "reinforces our citizens' trust in democracy." Tunç previously served as Istanbul's chief prosecutor, where he led investigations targeting opposition figures, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who remains jailed on corruption charges carrying a potential 2,000-year sentence.
Opposition figures rally support
İmamoğlu, widely seen as Erdoğan's most formidable political rival, posted a defiant message on social media, urging Turks to "stand together for their country." Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş warned that the ruling aimed to divide the CHP and render it ineffective, suggesting economic woes could prompt snap elections in the near future.
Özel dismissed speculation of a party split, declaring, "Tenants leave, homeowners are to stay." However, analysts suggest legal challenges could drag on, potentially forcing Özel and his allies to form a new party ahead of the next election.
University closure adds to tensions
In a separate development on Friday, Erdoğan ordered the closure of Istanbul's independent Bilgi University, a private institution with 22,000 domestic and international students. Law professor Yaman Akdeniz called the move an overnight dismantling of a 30-year-old institution where he had taught for 15 years.
Turkey's Council of Higher Education stated it would take steps to mitigate hardship for current students, though details remain unclear.
Broader implications
Erdoğan, who has led Turkey since 2003 as prime minister and later president, faces constitutional limits preventing him from running again unless early elections are called or the constitution is amended. Özel has accused Erdoğan's ruling AK Party of systematically "eliminating its rivals" through legal and political means.
