Gürsel Tekin's convention doubts draw criticism over judicial decision

A political dispute has erupted within Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP) following a court decision that reinstated Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as General Chairman. This development triggered an immediate call from 221 former CHP lawmakers and senators for an extraordinary party convention within 45 days. However, Gürsel Tekin, who returned to his post following the court's ruling, expressed reservations about holding an immediate convention. Tekin highlighted a precarious situation regarding the party's delegates, citing legal injunctions against 196 Istanbul delegates, the detention of 44 delegates, the defection of 21 delegates to the ruling AK Party, the expulsion of 5 delegates, and the involvement of 163 delegates in investigation files. He questioned the health, inclusivity, and legitimacy of a convention under such circumstances. Lawyer Efkan Bolaç sharply criticized Tekin's position, reminding him of the court's initial decision that affirmed Kılıçdaroğlu's leadership and the continuity of party organs. Bolaç questioned whether Tekin was now disavowing a judicial outcome he previously seemed to favor, sarcastically asking if Tekin had begun to dislike the very court decision that benefited him. The lawyer's comments underscore the internal divisions and the complex legal and political maneuvering within the CHP.