Turkish court ousts opposition leader, police take CHP headquarters
Force in PlayCourt reinstates Kilicdaroglu; ousted leader Ozel plans new party
Overview
Turkish riot police forced their way into the Republican People's Party headquarters in Ankara on May 24. They fired tear gas and rubber bullets to end a three-day occupation. The raid installed court-appointed leadership in the party that won Turkey's 2024 municipal elections.
An appeals court ruled on May 21 that chairperson Ozgur Ozel's November 2023 election was invalid and reinstated his predecessor, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. In July, Ozel said he would form a new party, splitting the opposition. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the party's most popular figure, has been jailed since March 2025.
Why it matters
The court order split Turkey's main opposition, with ousted leader Ozel forming a new party before the 2028 election.
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Key Indicators
Related Media
Turkish riot police enter opposition headquarters to evict ousted leaders | Reuters
Turkish police storm Ankara headquarters of opposition CHP party | AP News
Licensable picture: Riot police stand guard outside the CHP headquarters in Ankara | Reuters Connect
Police storm offices of main opposition CHP party in Turkey ...
Associated Press
Turkish riot police force ousted opposition from headquarters
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Turkey riot police use tear gas to take opposition party HQ in ...
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Organizations Involved
Turkey's main opposition party, founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Won the 2024 municipal elections under Ozgur Ozel's leadership.
Turkey's ruling party, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Timeline
May 2026 July 2026
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Ozel announces plan to form new party
Latest PoliticalOusted CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said in a parliament speech he would form a new party, calling it 'the hope of a new beginning.' The party's name has not been announced.
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Police raid CHP headquarters
SecurityTurkish riot police entered the CHP headquarters in Ankara, firing tear gas and rubber bullets to remove Ozel and his supporters after a three-day standoff.
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Appeals court annuls CHP congress, reinstates Kilicdaroglu
LegalThe Ankara Regional Court of Appeals declared the CHP's 2023 congress 'absolutely null and void,' removing Ozgur Ozel and reinstating Kemal Kilicdaroglu as interim chairman.
Scenarios
Ozel's New Party Becomes Main Opposition
Discussed by: Ozel and analysts cited by Al Jazeera, including Murat Gezici of pollster Gezici
Ozel says his new party will become the parliament's main opposition 'by a wide margin' as CHP legislators defect. Pollster Murat Gezici says the new party could benefit Erdogan by splitting the opposition, unless it becomes the main hub of opposition.