Turkish Court Postpones Opposition Leadership Case Amid Widespread Protests 

A Turkish court Monday postponed its verdict in a case seeking to annul the main opposition party’s internal leadership election over alleged irregularities, a move that could bring back the party’s unpopular former leader and intensify political tensions in the country already rattled by anti-government protests, the Associated Press reported. 

The court delayed the case challenging the legitimacy of the 38th congress of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) until Oct. 24. In 2023, the congress ousted long-time leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and elected current chairman Özgür Özel.  

The case alleges electoral fraud, including vote buying and procedural violations. The CHP has denied all accusations, saying that the legal action is a politically motivated attempt by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government to use judicial pressure to weaken the opposition. 

Erdoğan’s government insists Turkish courts are impartial and act without political interference, emphasizing that investigations into the CHP are solely focused on corruption. 

Critics say that the case is part of a broader crackdown on the CHP – which gained significant ground in last year’s local elections – aimed at undermining the opposition ahead of the 2028 national elections, which could be held earlier depending on the court decision. 

If the congress is annulled, the court could either place trustees in charge of the party or reinstate Kılıçdaroğlu as chairman: He has already indicated he would like to return. However, this move would likely further deepen internal divisions, as he is deeply unpopular among CHP supporters following a string of electoral defeats against Erdoğan. 

On Sunday, at least 50,000 people protested in the capital, Ankara, against the court case, France 24 wrote. 

Crowds called for Erdoğan’s resignation while waving Turkish flags and party banners. During the rally, Özel called the crackdown on the CHP a “judicial coup” and pledged to resist moves to weaken the party. 

Earlier this month, a court ousted the CHP’s elected provincial leadership in Istanbul and appointed an interim chairman to oversee the local party branch. 

Municipalities under the CHP’s control have faced waves of arrests this year. Hundreds of CHP members have been imprisoned pending trial as part of a widespread investigation into alleged corruption and terrorism. 

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu – considered a potential challenger to Erdoğan – has been among the main targets of the crackdown and is currently in pre-trial custody on corruption charges that he denies. His arrests in March triggered widespread protests.