Ozgur Ozel has been re-elected as the leader of Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), during an extraordinary convention held in Ankara. Ozel, who was the only candidate for the position, received overwhelming support from the delegates, securing 1,171 votes out of more than 1,300 present.
During his speech, Ozel emphasized his commitment to fighting for the release of jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and other mayors facing serious charges. Imamoglu has been accused of corruption and alleged ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Ozel described the situation as a critical moment for the party and vowed to continue rallying support for Imamoglu, whom he plans to nominate as the CHP’s presidential candidate in the next election.
Ozel also called for the presidential election, originally set for 2028, to be moved forward to November of this year. This move comes amid rising tensions and protests following Imamoglu’s arrest, which many view as politically motivated. Ozel referred to the protests as a significant expression of dissent against the government, calling them “the greatest motion of censure in history.”
The CHP’s convention was initially scheduled for November but was moved up to prevent what Ozel claimed could be an attempt to place a trustee in charge of the party amid ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities. This decision reflects the party’s urgency in maintaining its leadership and addressing the unrest following Imamoglu’s imprisonment.
In his address, Ozel urged party members to remain united and continue their political struggle. He announced plans for ongoing protests, stating that the CHP would hold rallies every weekend in various cities and weekly night gatherings in Istanbul, starting in Samsun next week. These actions are in response to the large demonstrations that erupted after Imamoglu’s arrest, which drew tens of thousands of people across the country.
The political climate in Turkey remains tense, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denying any political motivations behind the charges against Imamoglu. Erdogan has labeled the protests as violent and accused CHP leaders of inciting unrest. In contrast, the CHP asserts that the government’s crackdown on protests, which has led to nearly 2,000 arrests, is an attempt to suppress dissent.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc defended the judicial process, claiming that the government did not influence Imamoglu’s arrest. As the political landscape evolves, the CHP is working to rally support from various segments of society, aiming to strengthen its position against the ruling party.