Explainer: Turkey's main opposition party faces state-appointed trustee

September 14, 2025

Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), is facing a significant political crisis after a court ruling on September 2 annulled the party's Istanbul Provincial Congress and dismissed its current provincial chair. The situation escalated on September 8 when police escorted a court-appointed trustee into CHP's Istanbul headquarters amid protests and internet restrictions. This comes ahead of a crucial September 15 court hearing that could potentially annul the November 2023 party congress that elected Özgür Özel as party leader, replacing long-time chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

Who is affected

The Republican People's Party (CHP) and its leadership, particularly current leader Özgür Özel and former chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu
Özgür Çelik, the dismissed Istanbul provincial chair, and 196 delegates
CHP party members and supporters who faced police intervention during protests
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested in March 2025
Turkish citizens whose access to social media platforms was restricted during protests
The broader Turkish democratic system and opposition movement

What action is being taken

Police are forcibly escorting court-appointed trustees into CHP headquarters
The Istanbul Governor's Office has implemented bans on rallies and demonstrations in multiple districts
CHP leadership is organizing an extraordinary congress scheduled for September 24
Approximately 900 party delegates have called for this extraordinary congress
Police are surrounding and barricading party headquarters to prevent demonstrations
Academics are signing petitions expressing support for the opposition
Law enforcement is violently dispersing protesters

Why it matters

This crisis represents what many experts describe as a direct threat to Turkey's democratic system, with constitutional law expert Professor Şule Özsoy Boyunsuz stating that "Democratic political life in Turkey, as we know it, has come to an end." The government's actions against the main opposition party signal a potential shift toward further authoritarianism in Turkey, undermining the national will expressed through political parties. Political scientist Kemal Büyükyükse characterized the events as "a soft coup against the opposition," noting this is an unprecedented dismantling of the principal opposition party in Turkey's 75-year multiparty system. The situation threatens to fundamentally alter Turkey's political landscape by potentially eliminating effective opposition.

What's next

The upcoming court hearing on September 15 will determine whether the November 2023 party congress that elected Özgür Özel as party leader will be annulled. If the court rules against the current leadership, all decisions made since that congress could be nullified. CHP has scheduled an extraordinary congress for September 24 to counter potential adverse court rulings. According to journalist Barış Terkoğlu, if Kılıçdaroğlu regains leadership following the court decision, he may attempt to cancel this upcoming congress. Political analyst Berk Esen suggests Kılıçdaroğlu might instead delay holding the congress to undermine the Özel-İmamoğlu team, potentially leading to resignations and the formation of a separate party.

Read full article from source: Global Voices