TÜRKİYE ORTA ASYA HABER KKUORDİNATÖRÜ

SCF.STOCHOLM CENTER FOR FREEDOM/SWEDEN IS KILIÇDAROĞLU AN OWL OR AN ENEMY OF DEMOCRACY? Turkish court’s removal of CHP leadership draws international backlash A Turkish appeals court’s decision to annul the 2023 congress of the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), removing party leader Özgür Özel and the current party leadership, and reinstating former chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and his team, has drawn international criticism. The Ankara Regional Court of Justice’s decision on Thursday concerned the CHP’s 38th Ordinary Congress, where Özel defeated Kılıçdaroğlu to become party leader in November 2023. The court ruled the congress legally invalid; this could mean the vote is considered as if it never happened. The CHP refused to recognize the decision, which it described as "illegal," and appealed to both the court and election authorities. The Supreme Election Board (YSK) was scheduled to convene at 4:00 PM on Friday to consider the party's appeal. Earlier reports claimed the appeal had been rejected, but there was no official confirmation. The 36th Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court also rejected the CHP headquarters' separate request to lift the interim injunction. The decision quickly drew criticism outside of Turkey; international political groups and European officials warned that the decision threatened political pluralism and democratic competition. EU Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Anitta Hipper stated on Friday that Türkiye, as an EU candidate country and long-time member of the Council of Europe, is expected to uphold democratic standards, the rule of law, and fundamental rights. Hipper stated that the court's decision to cancel the CHP congresses and the ongoing pressure on the party, which led to the arrest of more than 20 mayors, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, raises questions about the rule of law, democratic pluralism, fundamental rights, and judicial independence. Hipper said, “Legal and administrative processes should not be used to intimidate opposition parties and politicians or to prevent them from participating in the political process on equal terms with the parties in power.” The Socialist International, in a statement published on X, said it was "extremely concerned" by the court decision regarding the CHP leadership and described the cancellation of Özel's election as a "clear and unlawful act." The organization stated, "The attempt to replace Özgür Özel with the previous party leadership through such a procedure is a blow to Türkiye's democratic system and is truly unacceptable," expressing its full solidarity with Özel and the elected leadership of the CHP. The PES Group in the Committee of European Regions also condemned the decision, saying that invalidating the democratic choice made by CHP delegates at the party's 2023 congress was "an attack on political pluralism." In a statement on X channel, the group said, "We stand in solidarity with those who defend democracy, the rule of law and political freedom in Türkiye and with the elected CHP leadership," adding that Europe "cannot remain silent." Nacho Sánchez Amor, the European Parliament's rapporteur on Turkey, described the decision as a turning point for Türkiye's political system. Speaking on X channel, Sánchez Amor said, “With the ‘absolute nullification’ decision… we are entering a dark period in Türkiye. This is a well-prepared plan to eliminate the main opposition party. It is a blueprint for a completely authoritarian system. The EU can no longer remain blind or silent.” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also criticized the decision, saying it contradicted Türkiye's goal of EU membership. Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, Wadephul stated that Ankara had reiterated its commitment to EU membership, but that such a court ruling contradicted that commitment. Wadephul expressed concern about the cancellation of the entire party congress and the removal of the opposition leader, adding that in democracies, political competition should be conducted through politics rather than the courts. According to Deutsche Welle, several German MPs also voiced their concerns. Serdar Yüksel of the Social Democrat Party, Max Lucks of the Greens, and Derya Türk-Nachbaur of the Social Democrat Party warned that the decision raised questions about judicial independence in Türkiye and the treatment of opposition parties. The party, which described the decision as political rather than legal, called on Germany and the European Union to take a clearer stance against Ankara. The CHP (Republican People's Party) has been under increasing legal and political pressure since its significant gains in the March 2024 local elections; the party says the decision is politically motivated.