Turkey’s Opposition Leader Re-Elected Amid Court Battle Risk

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An extraordinary political drama is unfolding in Turkey as the country’s main opposition party faces one of the biggest tests in its history. On Sunday, September 21, 2025, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) re-elected Ozgur Ozel as its leader in a special congress.

The decision came at a very sensitive time. Just one month from now, a court in Ankara will give its verdict on whether to cancel the CHP’s previous congress held in 2023, where Ozel was first chosen as chairman. The case claims that irregularities happened during that vote, but critics say it is mainly a political attempt to weaken the opposition.

At Sunday’s congress, the numbers showed clear support for Ozel. Out of 917 votes, 835 were counted as valid, and every single one went in his favor. The fresh victory gives Ozel a renewed mandate and sends a strong signal of unity inside the party. Party officials hope this move will reduce the risk of the court decision removing him from his position.

Why is this court case important?

The ruling, now expected on October 24, had already been delayed earlier this month. It is not just a simple legal issue — it could shape the future of Turkish politics. Financial markets, international observers, and political experts are closely watching because the stability of the main opposition party directly affects the balance of power in the country.

Allegations against party members

Twelve senior members of the CHP, including Ekrem Imamoglu, the popular mayor of Istanbul, are facing serious accusations. Imamoglu, seen as the biggest political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is currently jailed. The charges claim that these leaders offered cash and government jobs to delegates and violated the political parties law during the 2023 congress.

All of them strongly deny any wrongdoing. They argue that the case is politically motivated and meant to silence critics of the government.

Erdogan’s stance

President Erdogan, who has led Turkish politics for more than two decades with his ruling AK Party, has called last year’s opposition vote “tainted” and a “fraudulent process.” He has repeatedly used the issue to attack the opposition, portraying them as corrupt.

Why does this matter?

The CHP is not a small party. It is the largest opposition group in Turkey’s parliament and also controls the country’s biggest cities, including Istanbul and Ankara. This makes the party a major challenge for Erdogan’s rule. With Imamoglu in prison since March, Ozel has stepped up as the most visible rival to Erdogan. His leadership has become a symbol of resistance for those who want political change in Turkey.

A bigger picture

For ordinary Turkish citizens, this struggle is about much more than who leads a political party. It is about whether democracy in the country can survive under heavy pressure. Supporters of the opposition fear that the court’s decision may be influenced by politics rather than justice. If the 2023 congress is annulled, it could cause chaos inside the CHP and weaken its ability to compete in the next elections.

For now, the re-election of Ozel shows that the opposition still has strong internal unity. But the upcoming court ruling in October will be the real test — one that could either strengthen or break the opposition’s fight against Erdogan’s dominance.