Turkish police stormed the headquarters of the Republican People's Party (CHP) in Ankara on Sunday morning, using tear gas to enforce a judicial decision that reinstates former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. More than 100 officers cut through the main entrance gate and entered the building, where they faced resistance from party members who had barricaded the reception area with chairs and sofas. Euronews reporter Burak Ütücü was among those affected by the gas.
The raid follows a controversial ruling by the 36th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice, which declared the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress and 21st Extraordinary Congress—both held in 2023—as subject to 'absolute nullity.' Those congresses had resulted in Özgür Özel becoming party leader. The lawsuit that led to the ruling alleged that delegates were paid to vote for Özel, a claim the party denies.
Political Standoff Intensifies
Tensions have been building since Friday, when Kılıçdaroğlu called Özel to convey his intention to 'take the party to a congress at the most appropriate time,' according to Kılıçdaroğlu's new press adviser, Atakan Sönmez. By Sunday morning, a group of Kılıçdaroğlu supporters, including several MPs, marched on the headquarters, prompting an immediate backlash from current party officials.
CHP MP Mahmut Tanal addressed Kılıçdaroğlu directly on social media, telling him to 'pull back your third-rate mafia thugs.' Another MP, Nurhayat Altaca Kayışoğlu, accused the former leader of sacrificing the hope of millions for personal gain. 'For the sake of a parliamentary seat, you are trying to hand over this country's future once again to the same mentality,' she said. 'We will not remain silent as Turkey is dragged back into darkness.'
Kılıçdaroğlu, meanwhile, issued a statement calling on the CHP leadership to 'comply with the court ruling and not act against party discipline.' His lawyer, Celal Çelik, has applied to the Ankara police to request that the party building be officially handed over to them.
As the standoff continued, CHP MP Ali Mahir Başarır told Euronews: 'What more harm can be done to Turkey's number one party?'
The court's decision to intervene in internal party affairs is unusual; such matters are normally handled by the Supreme Electoral Council. The ruling has raised concerns about judicial overreach in Turkey, where the independence of the judiciary has been a recurring issue under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government. The CHP, as the main opposition party, has often been at odds with the ruling AK Party over democratic norms.
This internal crisis comes at a time when Turkey faces significant economic challenges and geopolitical tensions. The CHP's ability to present a united front will be crucial in the upcoming local elections, where the party hopes to build on its gains in the 2023 general elections. For more on the broader context of political turmoil in the region, see our coverage of Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Oil Terminal and Chemical Plant Deep Inside Russia.
The European Union has long monitored Turkey's adherence to the rule of law, and this incident is likely to draw scrutiny from Brussels. The CHP's leadership struggle underscores the fragility of democratic institutions in the country, a concern that resonates across the continent. For related developments, read about German Police Arrest Couple Suspected of Spying for China in Munich.
