The Republican People’s Party (CHP) has appealed to the country’s Supreme Administrative Court (Council of State) against the court ruling concerning the removal of Özgür Özel from the party leadership. The development comes amid internal tensions within the party, demonstrations by supporters, and heightened police presence outside CHP headquarters in Ankara.

The CHP filed an appeal before the Council of State, requesting the annulment of the Ankara Court of Appeals ruling, which had accepted the case seeking the cancellation of the party congress held in 2023, during which Özgür Özel was elected.

According to the legal filing, as reported by the Athens News Agency, “the Court of Appeals ruling is contrary to the law, must be overturned, and above all the interim measure must be lifted.”

The filing also states that the lower court had dismissed part of the claims and ruled that the case had become moot, whereas the appeals court reversed that decision and accepted the lawsuit.

CHP: “The right to political activity is being violated”

In its memorandum to the Supreme Administrative Court, the CHP argues that the ruling violates the right to political activity and is contrary to the Constitution.

At the same time, the party cites Supreme Court case law according to which disputes concerning party congresses do not fall under the jurisdiction of civil courts, but rather under electoral mechanisms.

Allegations of administrative interference

The Republican People’s Party also claims that the judicial ruling resulted in the removal of an elected leadership and the appointment of individuals with unclear duties to administer the party.

“With this decision, the elected leadership is removed and the party is administered by individuals appointed by the court. The persons appointed do not have a clearly defined mission, and their powers are vague and unclear.”

New rallies – incidents at party headquarters

Alongside the legal process, CHP leader Özgür Özel reconvened the party’s Central Executive Committee at 11:00 a.m.

The CHP also called for a rally outside the party headquarters at 8:30 p.m. tonight, while police authorities have strengthened security measures in the area.

The situation at CHP headquarters remains tense, with party members reportedly heckling former party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The gathered crowd reportedly took down and tore a framed photograph of him and trampled on it, shouting “traitor” as they did so.