Turkey Opposition Party to Hold Congress After Court Ruling

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the reinstated chair of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), said on Wednesday the party would hold a congress once legal conditions are met, after a court ousted the previous leadership last week.

Kilicdaroglu told reporters he would consult with the party’s legal team to decide on the timing of the congress.

He said a congress “will be held, there is no alternative”, stressing it must take place on a legal basis and that the process must follow party rules.

Kilicdaroglu said all decisions would be made collectively, adding that the party assembly was likely to convene and that the CHP would act strictly within legal frameworks and procedures.

He dismissed speculation about expulsions from the party and said any such steps must follow established rules.

Kilicdaroglu also criticized the closure of the party’s headquarters in protest of the court ruling, saying it is not appropriate to deny the public or lawmakers entry to the building.

Ousted CHP leader Ozgur Ozel proposed on Tuesday holding a leadership vote among the party’s two million members instead of party delegates.

The CHP dispute is seen by analysts as another test of the state of Turkish democracy and opposition to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

(reuters, max)