Ozgur Ozel Draws Tens of Thousands in Ankara Protest as Court Reinstates Kilicdaroglu
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 30
Ozgur Ozel Draws Tens of Thousands in Ankara Protest as Court Reinstates Kilicdaroglu
13 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 30
Tens of thousands rallied behind ousted CHP leader Ozgur Ozel in Ankara on Saturday, where he denounced the May 21 court ruling that voided the party’s 2023 congress and removed him from office.
Ozel said the decision did not legitimize Kemal Kilicdaroglu’s return and demanded an immediate party congress before leading a peaceful march to Ataturk’s mausoleum.
Kilicdaroglu, visiting CHP headquarters for the first time since the ruling, pledged to purge corruption tied to CHP-run municipalities; Ozel’s camp says the allegations are politically motivated.
Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas joined the protest and also called for a congress, underscoring a widening split in Turkey’s main opposition as jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu remains sidelined.
The leadership fight threatens to weaken one of President Tayyip Erdogan’s main challenges and could improve his chances of extending more than two decades in power.
Istanbul's mayor faces 2,430 years in prison. Who is left to challenge President Erdogan?
With its leaders jailed or deposed, can Turkey's opposition survive this legal onslaught?
Is Turkey's judiciary now simply an extension of the President's executive power?
2026 Court Ruling Reinstates Kılıçdaroğlu, Sparks Protests and Divides Turkish Opposition Before 2028 Elections
Overview
On May 21, 2026, a Turkish court annulled the 2023 Republican People's Party (CHP) congress, removing Özgür Özel from leadership and reinstating Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. This decision sparked strong reactions, with the CHP denying vote-buying charges and accusing the government of a political coup through the judiciary. Özel and his supporters condemned the ruling as a judicial coup and vowed to challenge it through legal appeals. The event deepened internal party divisions and raised concerns about the independence of Turkey's judiciary, highlighting growing tensions and uncertainty in Turkish politics ahead of future elections.