Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Security incident in Gaza Strip classified as serious results in six wounded soldiers so far, two critically injured.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle in Deir Ames, Tyre governorate.
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Final toll from airstrike on car in Zebdine, Nabatieh District: Two martyrs, four injured
Egyptian media: Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelis begin in Sharm el-Sheikh.
AFP: France's new PM Sebastein Lecornu resigns just hours after unveiling cabinet.
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week
US President Donald Trump: Talks with Hamas have been very successful and are moving at a rapid pace
Local sources in Aleppo: Violent clashes erupt between the SDF and factions affiliated with the transitional authority on the Deir Hafer and Tishrin Dam fronts in the eastern Aleppo countryside
Israeli media: Interceptor missiles fired in an attempt to shoot down the drone
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded amid suspected "enemy aircraft" infiltrating the Eilat area

Turkey's CHP to hold extraordinary congress amid Imamoglu's arrest

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: New websites
  • 6 Apr 2025 09:09
4 Min Read

The CHP's decision follows separate investigations launched by prosecutors in both Ankara and Istanbul into alleged irregularities surrounding the party’s most recent convention.

  • x
  • TurkiyeOzgur Ozel, leader of Turkiye's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), waves during a rally called by the CHP in support of Istanbul's arrested mayor Ekrem Imanoglu in Maltepe, on the outskirts of Istanbul on March 29, 2025 (AFP)

Turkiye's main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) will hold an extraordinary congress on Sunday in a bid to counter what it describes as a potential attempt to impose a government-appointed trustee on the party.

The decision follows separate investigations launched by prosecutors in both Ankara and Istanbul into alleged irregularities surrounding the party’s most recent convention.

In Ankara, prosecutors are examining claims that votes were bought during the CHP’s 38th ordinary convention held on November 4–5, 2023.

Simultaneously, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into allegations that provincial elections held ahead of the convention were manipulated and violated electoral laws.

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel addressed the situation on March 21, stating, “They want to appoint a trustee to [Mustafa Kemal] Ataturk’s party."

"We will announce to all of Türkiye that we have prevented trustee attempts by taking the party to an extraordinary convention."

The investigations come amid widespread protests triggered by the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key CHP figure, on corruption charges last month.

The April 6 convention will also include a leadership vote, with Ozel seeking re-election. There has been speculation about whether former party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, or a candidate he endorses, would enter the race.

Kilicdaroglu, who led the CHP from 2010 until being unseated by Ozel in 2023 following his defeat to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has expressed support for the decision to hold a congress.

However, he announced on Thursday that he would not be running for leadership at the party’s extraordinary congress.

Related News

CHP rallies tens of thousands in Ankara against 'judicial coup'

Turkish police use tear gas to disperse CHP protest in Istanbul

“I will not be a candidate for chairperson at the extraordinary congress that our party will hold this weekend. I thank all my brothers working, insisting and gathering signatures for my candidature,” Kilicdaroglu wrote on social media.

His statement follows a recent push by his allies to rally support for a potential challenge to Ozel at the 21st extraordinary congress.

“The reason why I am not candidate, is because I do not want our party to get stuck in intraparty rows and divert attention to other areas other than our fight,” Kilicdaroglu clarified, referring to the CHP's campaign against the arrest of Imamoglu and the lead-up to the 2028 presidential race.

After losing the 2023 presidential election to President Erdogan, Kilicdaroglu was defeated in an internal party vote in November, paving the way for Ozel’s rise. Since then, Ozel has led the CHP to a historic victory in the March 31 municipal elections, surpassing the party’s traditional 25% threshold.

Party infighting

Despite this success, his leadership faces continued challenges amid corruption allegations and internal divisions.

Party infighting persists, with Kilicdaroglu's loyalists opposing Ozel’s leadership and Imamoglu's supporters positioning themselves for future control. This internal struggle has fueled uncertainty about the party’s direction ahead of the next general elections.

Ozel’s position, however, has been strengthened following Imamoglu’s arrest, as he has emerged as a central figure in the opposition. He has led large-scale protests, including nightly demonstrations and a mass rally in Istanbul, calling for Imamoglu’s release.

Ozel, a former pharmacist, has also spearheaded a petition campaign demanding early elections and continues to organize weekly protests, rotating between Turkiye’s provinces and Istanbul districts.

The CHP, which has convened 58 congresses to date—38 of them ordinary—will hold this extraordinary session under the slogan “The will is the people’s.” A total of 1,323 registered delegates will vote to elect the party chair, 60 members of the Party Assembly (PM), and 15 members of the High Disciplinary Board (YDK).

To qualify as a candidate for chairperson, one must obtain written nominations from at least 5% of the delegates. The general chair is elected by secret ballot with an absolute majority. If no candidate secures a majority in the first two rounds, the third round determines the winner by simple majority. Meanwhile, candidates for PM membership must be nominated by at least 10 delegates.

Read more: Turkiye arrests 1,400+ in protests supporting detained Istanbul mayor

  • CHP
  • Ekrem Imamoglu
  • ozgur ozel
  • Turkiye
  • Kemal Kilicdaroglu

Most Read

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
ap

'Israel' pays influencers $7K per post to whitewash Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Hezbollah's representative in Iran, Sayyed Abdullah Safieddine, during an interview with Al Mayadeen which aired on October 6, 2025 (Al Mayadeen)
Politics

Tehran never interferes in Hezbollah decisions: Representative in Iran

Smoke billows over the Gaza Strip following an Israeli bombardment, as seen from southern Palestine, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Indirect talks for a ceasefire in Gaza begin in Sharm El-Sheikh: Egypt

Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to attend a military parad in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Security forces seal Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh districts

Amsterdam Captain Mohammed Ali Mohiuddin, who took part in the Global Sumud mission to Gaza, talks to Al Mayadeen on October 6, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

GSF captain says despite abuse, 'Israel weaker than spider's web'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS