Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party vowed to contest a court ruling that annulled its 2023 congress and displaced its leadership.

Legal battle moves into national politics

The 21 May decision reinstated former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and prompted the party to announce legal appeals. The ruling immediately became a test of institutional confidence, with opposition figures and smaller parties criticising the intervention.

Financial markets also reacted to the prospect of prolonged instability. The dispute matters beyond internal party management because the CHP controls major municipalities and is central to Turkey’s electoral competition. The appeals process will shape whether the leadership change stands.

Sources