Power Struggles and Legal Storms: CHP’s Search for a Clear 2025 Election Strategy

In Turkey’s rapidly shifting political landscape, the legal pressures surrounding Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu have intensified the internal debate within the Republican People’s Party (CHP). With the prospect of long, multi-year court cases potentially obstructing his path to a presidential candidacy, party leadership is quietly revisiting its strategic roadmap for the 2025–2028 electoral cycle. The unfolding situation has prompted discussions about whether CHP should prepare alternative scenarios—particularly one where party leader Özgür Özel steps into the spotlight as the natural contender.

Özgür Özel’s Rhetorical Signal and Its Political Weight

During a recent rally in Sultanbeyli, Özgür Özel delivered remarks that many within the CHP base interpreted as a subtle but deliberate declaration of readiness for a future presidential race. Addressing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan directly, Özel stated: “Ben bundan sonra siyasi mücadeleyi seninle sandıkta yapmaya varım. Önümüzdeki baharda da karda kışta da varım. Aday olursan seninle yarışmaya varım.”

The party grassroots quickly framed this as the first open signal that Özel is prepared to contest a national vote should circumstances demand it. With Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş also facing various judicial pressures, Özel’s position as general chairman elevates him as the structurally most “protected” and politically viable choice.

İmamoğlu Cases Shift the Strategic Calculus

Legal experts within the party caution that the new case against İmamoğlu, along with previous investigations, could become a prolonged judicial process, creating uncertainty about his future eligibility. CHP insiders argue that these developments underscore a broader pattern of what they describe as “siyasi operasyon,” a perception strengthened by the timing and scope of the accusations.
To address the issue more systematically, the party has formed a specialized legal defense team composed of its most experienced parliamentary lawyers. According to party sources, only these designated legal figures will comment publicly on İmamoğlu’s court proceedings to avoid mixed messaging. Their mission is to highlight the inconsistencies they say are embedded in the indictment and to coordinate courtroom strategy.

A Tale of Two Openings: Symbolism at Kabataş

Amid these legal and political cross-currents, the opening of the second phase of Istanbul’s Kabataş Transfer Center carried significant symbolic value. İmamoğlu had inaugurated the first stage of the major transit initiative, while Özel presided over the unveiling of the second. The pairing of these appearances renewed conversations around the division of roles between the party leader and Istanbul’s high-profile mayor.

During the ceremony, Özel targeted pro-government media outlets, accusing them of perpetuating claims about the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality that were ultimately not included in the official indictment. He criticized their coverage and said: “Yayın yönetmenlerinden özür bekliyorum… Bunların hepsini birden organize eden Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’dan açıkça özür bekliyorum. Kul hakkına girdiniz.”

His comments marked a rare and explicit call for accountability from those he says helped construct a narrative now contradicted by the legal documents.

The Hidden Witness Controversy

Özel also voiced strong criticism over statements submitted by two secret witnesses, known publicly as Meşe and İlke. Noting the near-identical nature of their testimonies, he argued that the similarity suggested orchestration rather than authenticity. Özel remarked: “Noktasına virgülüne kadar aynı ifade… Demek ki sözün gerçekliği yok, iftiraya sahip aranıyor.”

He added that CHP would formally request action from the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK), asserting the party’s responsibility to protect democratic processes and the rights of elected officials.

Despite the turmoil, Özel repeatedly emphasized the party’s confidence in İmamoğlu’s innocence, concluding: “Ekrem Başkan masumdur… Eninde sonunda Ekrem İmamoğlu Cumhurbaşkanı olacak.” The statement underscored both solidarity and a continued insistence that the legal battle will not negate İmamoğlu’s political trajectory.

Looking Ahead: A Party Balancing Legal Risks and Electoral Realities

As the CHP navigates an increasingly complex landscape, its leadership must balance legal vulnerabilities, internal expectations, and the broader question of who will ultimately lead the opposition into the next presidential showdown.
Whether the party rallies behind İmamoğlu despite the judicial headwinds or shifts its momentum toward Özgür Özel, the coming months will shape not only CHP’s strategy but the contours of Turkish politics as 2025 approaches.