Court Dismisses CHP Congress Lawsuit: “No Grounds for Judgment”

A Turkish court has dismissed the lawsuit challenging the validity of the main opposition CHP’s latest party congresses, ruling that the case had “no grounds for judgment.” The decision effectively confirms the legitimacy of Özgür Özel’s leadership and current party management.

Court rejects lawsuit citing “loss of subject matter”

Ankara’s 42nd Civil Court of First Instance ruled on Friday that the lawsuit seeking the annulment of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) congresses held in November 2023 and April 2025 had become “moot” and that the plaintiffs lacked active legal standing.

The case — which combined six separate lawsuits contesting the legitimacy of both the 38th Ordinary Congress and the 21st Extraordinary Congress — had been closely watched across political and legal circles.

The court’s decision means that all demands for annulment have been rejected, confirming the legality of the congress outcomes and maintaining the validity of Özgür Özel’s election as party leader, along with the appointments of central executive and disciplinary boards.

Lawyer Ali Kemal Atçeken, commenting after the verdict, said:

“The court ruled that the lawsuit was both without active standing and without a subject. In practice, this means the congresses in question remain valid, and all elected bodies continue to serve lawfully.”

Plaintiffs to appeal the decision

Lawyer Onur Yusuf Üregen, representing the plaintiffs, said they would appeal the ruling:

“We did not expect the court to reject the case; the decision surprised us. We will continue to pursue all legal avenues and take the matter to the regional appeals court.”

According to Atçeken, the appeal process will begin once the reasoned judgment is delivered, and plaintiffs will have two weeks to file their application.

“The appeals court may uphold the dismissal, overturn it, or even partially accept the plaintiffs’ claims by substituting its own judgment for the local court’s,” he explained.
“Alternatively, if it finds procedural shortcomings, it could send the case back for re-examination — meaning a new trial could be opened.”

However, legal observers consider a reversal unlikely, as the local court’s decision was based on the absence of both legal standing and a valid dispute, which are threshold procedural issues rather than substantive political ones.

Could this set a legal precedent?

Legal experts say the decision could set a jurisprudential precedent for future political party congress challenges — if it survives appeal.

“Once finalized through appeal and potential Supreme Court review, this decision may serve as a reference in future cases involving internal party disputes,” said Atçeken.
“The court determined that the plaintiffs lacked interest and that the matter had become irrelevant — if this reasoning is upheld, similar lawsuits could be rejected on the same grounds.”

CHP leadership secure for now

The ruling strengthens CHP Chairman Özgür Özel’s position, ending months of speculation over whether the party’s most recent leadership election could be overturned.

Atçeken emphasized that the ruling validates all party decisions taken under the current administration:

“The congress remains valid in its entirety. Therefore, no further legal action is needed to maintain its effects. What matters now is that all administrative and political steps continue in accordance with existing laws.”

For Özel, the decision removes a lingering legal shadow over his leadership, allowing him to focus on preparing for local governance challenges and national political strategy amid continued tension with the ruling AKP.

Trustee debate resurfaces over Istanbul

Following the verdict, Özel also addressed renewed speculation about a potential state-appointed trustee (kayyum) being installed in Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, led by Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is currently awaiting an indictment in a terrorism-related investigation.

“There are people trying to stir up talk of a kayyum. The intention to replace elected mayors with appointed trustees has already been rejected by the conscience of this nation,” Özel said.
“If they dare to appoint a kayyum to Istanbul — a city they lost by one million votes — the economic and political consequences for Turkey would be devastating. They couldn’t dare before, and they won’t dare now.”

Özel further noted that the Istanbul Stock Exchange jumped nearly 5% following news of the court’s decision, interpreting it as a signal of market relief over the stabilization of CHP’s internal politics.

“Once the attempt to delegitimize our congress failed, confidence immediately returned. The markets see that Turkish democracy is still breathing,” he said.

Political implications: stability within opposition ranks

The ruling is widely seen as a temporary political reprieve for the opposition, which has faced months of judicial and administrative pressure since the 2025 local elections.

Analysts note that while the court’s decision gives CHP breathing room, appeal proceedings could still take months, and any reversal could reignite uncertainty.

For now, the ruling allows the opposition party to present a united front ahead of parliamentary debates and potential early election scenarios being discussed in Ankara’s political circles.

Legal and political analysts weigh in

Legal commentators underline that the case’s dismissal — based not on political considerations but on procedural grounds — signals a cautious judiciary unwilling to wade further into intra-party politics.

“This is not a victory of ideology, but of procedure,” said one senior Ankara-based lawyer. “The court avoided making a political ruling by saying, essentially, there is no longer a case to rule on.”

Political observers, meanwhile, say the court’s neutrality in this instance may help defuse tensions between the judiciary and opposition parties following months of criticism over “selective interventions” in domestic politics.