Republican People's Party absolute nullity crisis
Turkish absolute nullity crisis
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The 2026 Republican People's Party absolute nullity crisis is an ongoing political dispute in Turkey that began on 21 May 2026, when the Regional Court of Appeal in Ankara invalidated the 38th Ordinary and 21st Extraordinary Conventions of the Republican People's Party (CHP).[1] The ruling removed CHP leader Özgür Özel and reinstated former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as chairman.[2][3] The ruling also applied to all congresses and decisions made by the party after the 38th Ordinary Convention, including the CHP's provincial congress in Istanbul on 8 October 2023.[3] The court stated that the decision was based on allegations of irregularities and corruption during the leadership election process.[1]
Özgür Özel speaking in front of the CHP headquarters on 24 May 2026 | |
| Date | 21 May 2026 – present |
|---|---|
| Location | Turkey |
| Participants | Republican People's Party, Turkish judiciary, Turkish government |
| Outcome | Ongoing political and legal dispute regarding the leadership of the CHP |
Background
The decision came in the context of a wider strategy employed by the ruling party, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), to target the CHP through the judiciary. These efforts had previously led to the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and other CHP officials.[4] Since his arrest on 19 March 2025, over a dozen more CHP mayors and hundreds of their associated officials have been detained.[5]
Reactions and aftermath
The decision of the court was argued to be a judicial coup by Özel and his supporters, as this marked the first time in Turkish history that "a party leadership elected by delegates was overturned by a court ruling."[6] While the mayor of Ankara, Mansur Yavaş, argued the aim of the coup was to 'divide Turkey's biggest opposition party and render it ineffective.'[7] Analysts have argued that this decision could cripple the CHP against the AK Party and trigger a snap election as early as autumn.[8]
On 24 May, the Turkish police entered the CHP's main offices while firing tear gas and rubber bullets to evict the ousted leadership from the area.[9][10]
The decision triggered an economic shock on the Turkish stock market, which fell 6% on Thursday.[7] State banks also responded to the economic shocks by selling off $6,000,000,000-$8,000,000 to defend the lira and the country's risk premium rose from 247 to 257 basis points.[6][8]
Following the ruling, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also ordered the closure of the Bilgi University in Istanbul.[7] A few days later, he reversed that decision through another decree.[11]
International reactions
Supranational organisations
European Union: The European Union raised concerns over the rule of law, judicial independence and democratic pluralism in Turkey, an EU membership candidate, stating that opposition parties must be able to operate freely without fear of repression. A statement read: "This event and past events raise questions about the rule of law, fundamental rights, democratic pluralism and judicial independence. The Turkish people deserve to benefit from a vibrant and competitive democracy in which the people's voice is heard."[12]
- European Union: Nacho Sánchez Amor, the European Parliament's rapporteur on Turkey, wrote on X that the ruling was "a well-prepared plan to eliminate the main opposition party" and described the situation as "a blueprint of a fully authoritarian system," calling on the EU to act. "With the decision of 'absolute nullity' on the congress of CHP, Atatürk's party, we enter into a dark era in Türkiye," Amor wrote.[13]
Socialist International: The Socialist International said in a statement that it was "extremely worried" by the judicial decision regarding the CHP leadership. It described the annulment of Özel's election as "a clear and unlawful act," adding that the attempt to replace him "is a blow to Turkey's democratic system and is truly unacceptable," and expressed full solidarity with Özel and the CHP's elected leadership.[14][15] On 27 May, following an extraordinary meeting of its Ethics Committee, the Socialist International issued a further statement backing Özel, saying it had monitored the 2023 congress that elected him and found the procedures "democratic and inclusive," and calling the nullity ruling "unfounded."[16]
Party of European Socialists: The PES described the ruling as an "operation to silence the opposition" and called on Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, to act in defence of democracy in Turkey. The PES expressed solidarity with Özel and said the ruling was "contrary to the highest democratic standards."[17]
States
Germany: Johann Wadephul, Germany's foreign minister, criticized the ruling on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, saying it conflicted with Turkey's stated goal of EU membership. Wadephul said he was concerned by the annulment of an entire party congress and the removal of an opposition leader, and that political competition in democracies should be conducted through politics rather than the courts.[18]
Israel: The Israeli Foreign Ministry posted on X on 25 May 2026, after riot police stormed the CHP headquarters: "The free world and the self-appointed guardians of democracy and human rights remain silent as Erdoğan's regime crushes Turkish democracy in broad daylight. Opposition parties raided. Critics silenced. So much for defending democratic values."[19][20]
