CHP Cancels Belgian Branch's Authority Amid Internal Dispute

The ongoing "absolute nullity" dispute within Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP) has extended to its international branches, with the CHP headquarters canceling the authority of its Belgian Union (Union belge de Solidarité du CHP) to operate and represent the party.

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All work must be carried out under the coordination, direction, and supervision of the Deputy Chairman for Overseas Organizations.

The decision, made by the CHP General Headquarters under Kılıçdaroğlu's leadership on June 30, 2026, was communicated in an official letter signed by Semra Dinçer, Deputy Chairman for Overseas Organizations. The letter stated that the Belgian Union violated Article 4 of the Overseas Organizations Regulation, which mandates that "All work must be carried out under the coordination, direction, and supervision of the Deputy Chairman for Overseas Organizations."

The Central Executive Board's (MYK) resolution stated: "It has been decided to cancel the 'Union Establishment Authority Certificates' granted to the Belgium Overseas Union; furthermore, the authority of the entity operating in Belgium under the name 'Union belge de Solidarité du CHP' to represent the Republican People's Party has been terminated. We request that you do not use the CHP name, for which our party holds trademark registration in EU countries; otherwise, we inform you that legal action will be taken."

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It has been decided to cancel the 'Union Establishment Authority Certificates' granted to the Belgium Overseas Union; furthermore, the authority of the entity operating in Belgium under the name 'Union belge de Solidarité du CHP' to represent the Republican People's Party has been terminated.

Following the notification of the decision via email, the head of the CHP Belgium Union, Derya Bulduk, issued a strong response on social media, declaring that they do not recognize the decision. Bulduk stated, "As the Republican People's Party Belgium Union, we have received the decision taken on June 30, 2026, by those who have occupied the Republican People's Party Headquarters as 'Absolute Nullity' since May 21, 2026, regarding the cancellation of the Republican People's Party authority certificate belonging to the Belgium Union. This decision by those occupying the CHP General Headquarters is a "medal" that we will be proud of, as we stated in our letter dated June 22 that we could no longer walk with those who do not draw their strength from the organization, and we repeatedly informed the absolute nullity administration, both in writing and verbally, of our demand for an 'EMERGENCY CONGRESSs.'"

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We request that you do not use the CHP name, for which our party holds trademark registration in EU countries; otherwise, we inform you that legal action will be taken.

Bulduk further criticized the decision as procedurally flawed and questioned its implications for party democracy, organizational will, and the rule of law, especially since it was made by the administration formed after the "absolute nullity" process. "We gently remind those who have occupied the Republican People's Party court decision since May 24 as absolute nullity, of the 'precautionary measure' decision, and declare that we do not recognize the procedurally flawed decision they have made. The elimination of the democratic will of our members living abroad without sufficient justification is unacceptable. This approach is a heavy blow not only to the Belgium Union but also to the efforts, sacrifices, and representation rights of our overseas organizations."

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As the Republican People's Party Belgium Union, we have received the decision taken on June 30, 2026, by those who have occupied the Republican People's Party Headquarters as 'Absolute Nullity' since May 21, 2026, regarding the cancellation of the Republican People's Party authority certificate belonging to the Belgium Union.