How AKP-aligned media interpreted the CHP ruling — will Turkey’s political risk premium fall?

A recent Ankara court ruling rejecting claims to annul (called null and void  or abolsute nullity trial in Turkish press) the CHP’s 38th Party Congress has triggered mixed reactions in pro-government media circles. While Hürriyet’s Yalçın Bayer viewed the verdict as a victory for CHP leader Özgür Özel, Sabah’s Okan Müderrisoğlu cautioned that the party’s internal divisions are far from over. Türkiye’s İsmail Kapan, meanwhile, argued that corruption cases against CHP municipalities will remain the real political battleground. Markets, however, show little sign of reduced political risk as President Erdoğan retains legal leverage over key opposition figures.

Ankara court’s ruling fails to reassure AKP-aligned columnists

The Ankara 42nd Civil Court’s decision to reject “absolute nullity” claims over the CHP congress did little to satisfy commentators close to the ruling AKP.

Although the court cleared the main opposition party of procedural wrongdoing, trials continue against several senior CHP members accused of manipulating delegate votes. Political observers suggest that these cases aim not only to weaken CHP’s municipal control but also to tarnish its public image ahead of future elections.

Political risk still hangs over opposition

From a market standpoint, analysts see no clear sign that Turkey’s political risk premium is falling. Multiple ongoing investigations into Ekrem İmamoğlu, Özgür Özel, and other key CHP figures keep political uncertainty elevated.

Erdoğan still holds the option of escalating judicial pressure whenever convenient, a dynamic investors closely watch. If he temporarily eases off the opposition, Turkish assets — long discounted for political risk — could rebound. However, any new investigation permit from the Interior Ministry against Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş would likely reignite investor concern.

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

Yalçın Bayer (Hürriyet): “A win for Özel, but CHP remains in limbo”

According to Bayer, the ruling gave Özel a symbolic victory but left the CHP’s institutional credibility “in purgatory.” He argued that the party’s future depends on cleansing itself from internal disputes. If it fails, he warned, “Turkish politics may have to restart from scratch.”

Bayer also highlighted that former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu remains a balancing figure in the party despite losing his chairmanship, representing “clean and transparent politics” within the CHP.

Okan Müderrisoğlu (Sabah): “Case closed, but questions remain”

Sabah columnist Okan Müderrisoğlu emphasized that while the court verdict ended speculation over the congress, it did not fully clear the party’s record.

He wrote that party conventions should never become courtroom disputes and should instead be handled by the Supreme Election Council (YSK). The real issue, Müderrisoğlu said, lies within the CHP itself — a party caught between internal rivalries rather than external political interference.

İsmail Kapan (Türkiye Gazetesi): “No nullity — but plenty of turmoil”

İsmail Kapan called the verdict “a breath of relief” for the opposition but warned that corruption cases targeting major CHP-run municipalities remain a serious threat.

Hundreds of suspects and dozens of confessions have emerged, many from within the party itself. According to Kapan, the decision disproved Özel’s frequent claim that “Erdoğan’s judiciary is targeting the CHP.”

Kapan added that upcoming corruption and fraud indictments could further destabilize the opposition bloc. “Internal purges seem inevitable,” he wrote, noting that new whistleblowers — including former Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat — could inflame internal conflicts even more.

A fragile balance ahead

Despite its local government strongholds, the CHP faces mounting criticism over poor municipal performance in cities like İzmir, where uncollected garbage and infrastructure failures have frustrated residents.

Having regained first-party status in the March 2024 local elections largely thanks to protest votes, Özgür Özel now struggles to assert leadership amid scandals and infighting. Whether Erdoğan chooses to exploit these fractures — or allow a temporary détente — will shape both Turkey’s political risk trajectory and market confidence in the months ahead.

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