A court in Ankara has annulled the 2023 congress of Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), in a move that has triggered strong criticism from European political
leaders and renewed concerns over democratic backsliding in Turkey.
The decision targets the congress in which CHP leader Özgür Özel first rose to power, ending the long leadership of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu after the opposition’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. Özel was later re-elected as party chairman during another congress held in November 2025, consolidating his position at the head of Turkey’s largest democratic opposition force.
Reacting to the ruling, the European Green Party described the court’s decision as “another attack on democracy in Turkey,” arguing that the judiciary is increasingly being used to undermine political opposition and democratic institutions.
European Greens representatives warned that interference in the internal affairs of opposition parties risks further damaging Turkey’s already strained democratic system and deepening tensions between Ankara and European institutions.
The CHP has become one of the most significant political challengers to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his ruling AK Party in recent years. The party achieved major victories in local elections, including retaining control of key metropolitan municipalities such as Istanbul and Ankara, results widely interpreted as a sign of growing public dissatisfaction with the government amid economic hardship and inflation.
Critics of the Turkish government say the latest court move fits a broader pattern of pressure on opposition figures, journalists, civil society groups, and independent institutions. International human rights organisations and European lawmakers have repeatedly accused Turkish authorities of using the judiciary to weaken political rivals and silence dissent.
The court’s ruling is expected to intensify political uncertainty ahead of future elections and could provoke legal and constitutional disputes within the CHP itself. Party officials have vowed to challenge the decision and insist the congress was conducted lawfully.
Observers say the case may also further complicate Turkey’s relations with the European Union, where concerns over judicial independence, rule of law, and democratic standards have remained central issues in recent years.
Despite mounting political pressure, CHP leaders say the party will continue its campaign for democratic reforms, judicial independence, and a return to parliamentary norms in Turkey.
Vula Tsetsi and Ciaran Cuffe, Co-Chairs of the European Green Party, said:
‘After last year's imprisonment of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, as well as hundreds of other opposition members, this is part of a broader pattern of political instrumentalisation of the justice system. In a democracy, the government cannot replace elected leaders of opposition parties. Political competition takes place at the ballot box and within democratic institutions - not by dismantling opposition parties.’
‘Erdoğan is pushing the country further toward autocracy. We stand by the people of Turkey and call for an immediate, clear and firm reaction from the European Commission and Council. The EU cannot remain silent while democratic standards are deteriorating before our eyes in a candidate country, but defend fundamental rights and the rule of law.’ Photo by Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi, Wikimedia commons.
