Thursday, May 21Thursday, May 21A Turkish appeals court in Ankara issued a ruling on 21 May 2026 that annulled the 2023 leadership contest of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), the country’s main opposition party. The decision effectively removed Özgür Özel, the current leader and prominent opposition figure, from his position. The court ordered that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the former long-term chairman who lost the 2023 election to Özel, take over as interim leader .
The ruling was based on allegations of vote-buying during the November 2023 CHP congress, with prosecutors claiming Özel secured his election through promises of jobs and other incentives. The CHP has denounced the decision as judicial harassment, accusing the government of orchestrating the move to weaken opposition ahead of future elections .
The decision has intensified political tensions, with the CHP calling for protests and warning of further government repression. The ruling is seen as part of a broader crackdown on opposition parties, particularly following the CHP’s historic victory in the 2024 local elections .
The court’s decision also triggered financial market instability, with Turkish stocks falling by 6% and government bond prices dropping sharply. Trading on Turkey’s stock exchange was temporarily halted amid concerns over economic stability and investor confidence .
Turkey Financial Crisis Sparks Market Panic in Istanbul 2026 Istanbul, Turkey – May 21 – Brussels Morning Newspaper — Turkey financial crisis concerns intensified in 2026 after major volatility struck Turkish financial markets following a controversial court ruling involving opposition political figures. Trading activity on Turkeys stock exchange was temporarily halted while government bond prices dropped sharply, increasing fears about economic stability and investor confidence. […]
brussels morning · about 3 hours ago
Turkish court ruling removes head of main opposition party Ruling annuls 2023 CHP leadership contest and deposes Özgür Özel, the face of opposition to ErdoğanA Turkish court has issued a ruling that removes the head of the main opposition party, in the latest blow to challengers of the president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.The ruling, issued by an appeals court in Ankara on Thursday, annulled a 2023 leadership contest within the Republican Peoples party (CHP), deposing the partys leader, Özgür Özel. Continue reading...
theguardian · about 3 hours ago
Turquie: la justice destitue le chef du CHP, principal parti dopposition au président Erdogan Un tribunal dAnkara a suspendu, jeudi 21 mai 2026, la direction du principal parti dopposition, le Parti républicain du peuple (CHP), destituant ainsi son chef, Özgür Özel. Le CHP, qui dénonce un « acharnement judiciaire » orchestré par le pouvoir politique, fait face à des pressions croissantes depuis sa victoire historique aux élections locales de 2024.
rfi.fr · about 3 hours ago
Turkish court rules to remove head of main opposition party Ruling annuls 2023 CHP leadership contest to depose Özgür Özel, in blow to Erdoğans rivalsA Turkish court has issued a ruling that effectively removes the head of the countrys main opposition party, in the latest blow to challengers of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.The ruling, issued by an appeals court in Ankara on Thursday, annulled a 2023 leadership contest within the Republican Peoples party (CHP), deposing the partys leader, Özgür Özel. Continue reading...
theguardian · about 4 hours ago
Türkei: Gericht ordnet Absetzung des türkischen Oppositionschefs an Die größte Oppositionspartei CHP steht seit langem unter Druck. Nun entscheidet ein Gericht: Die Parteiführung wird abgesetzt. Diese ruft zum Protest auf.
sueddeutsche · about 5 hours ago
Turkish court annuls leadership of main opposition CHP party, sparking turmoil The case concerns allegations of vote buying at the CHP congress in November 2023, with prosecutors alleging that Özgür Özel secured his election as party leader with promises of jobs and other kickbacks.
euronews · about 5 hours ago
Court annuls leadership of Turkeys main opposition party An Ankara court on Thursday annulled the 2023 leadership election of Turkeys main opposition CHP party, state news agency Anadolu reported, in a sharp escalation against the countrys embattled opposition. The ruling overturns the result of the leadership election that brought in current party head Ozgur Ozel and ordered that the partys former long-term chairman, Kemal Kilicdaroglu - who lost the election to Ozel - take over as interim leader. In response, the party urged its senior membership...
south china morning post · about 5 hours ago
Turkey court removes leader of opposition as Erdoğan tightens grip Turkish stocks fall 6 on move that could hobble the long-serving presidents most important rivals
financial times · about 5 hours ago
Schlag gegen Opposition: Türkisches Gericht setzt Parteichef der CHP ab Die Repression gegen die Opposition in der Türkei erreicht ein neues Niveau. Die Parteiführung der CHP wird abgesetzt. Die Begründung: angeblicher Stimmenkauf.
faz · about 5 hours ago
Chef von Oppositionspartei CHP abgesetzt Ein Gericht in der türkischen Hauptstadt Ankara hat die Absetzung des Vorsitzenden der größten Oppositionspartei CHP angeordnet. Özgür Özel und die Parteiführung werden damit ihrer Ämter enthoben, berichtete die staatliche Nachrichtenagentur Anadolu am Donnerstag. Der frühere Vorsitzende Kemal Kilicdaroglu soll dem Urteil zufolge Özel vorläufig ersetzen.
orf.at · about 6 hours ago
Türkei: Gericht in Ankara setzt türkischen Oppositionsführer Özel ab Die größte Oppositionspartei CHP steht seit Langem unter Druck. Gleichzeitig schwelen parteiintern Machtkämpfe. Nun entscheidet ein Gericht: Die Parteiführung wird abgesetzt.
sueddeutsche · about 6 hours ago
Turkish court removes leader of opposition The countrys stocks fall 6 on move that could hobble President Recep Tayyip Erdoğans main rival
financial times · about 6 hours ago