Former CHP Women Leaders Protest Congress Annulment, Back Özgür Özel

A significant internal rift has emerged within Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP) following a court's decision to annul its 38th Ordinary Congress held in November 2023. This ruling reinstated Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as party leader, a move that has sparked widespread criticism and growing dissent within the party ranks.

Adding their voices to the opposition, 100 former provincial women's branch leaders of the CHP have publicly declared their stance against the annulment. Aylin Nazlıaka, herself a former women's branch leader and currently heading the Family and Social Services Policy Board within the elected CHP administration, shared their collective message.

In a joint statement, the former leaders asserted that the 'absolute nullity' ruling is contrary to the democratic functioning of political parties, the right to elect and be elected, the organizational will, and internal party democracy. They emphasized that the legitimacy of party organs stems from free elections by members and delegates. Therefore, they believe any intervention that disregards the organizational will derived from democratic processes harms democracy, the rule of law, and the right to political representation.

"We stand by the will of our Chairman, Mr. Özgür Özel, who was elected by the democratic will of our organization at our party's congress, and the will of the Republican People's Party organization," the statement read. The former leaders pledged to continue their struggle resolutely to protect the party's century-old institutional heritage, democratic traditions, and understanding of the rule of law.

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We stand by the will of our Chairman, Mr. Özgür Özel, who was elected by the democratic will of our organization at our party's congress, and the will of the Republican People's Party organization.