Standoff in Turkey’s main opposition party escalates

A standoff between Turkey's main opposition party leaders has escalated after a court reappointed the former chairman.

An appeals court in Ankara nullified the November 2023 congress of the Republican People's Party, or CHP, suspending current chairman Ozgur Ozel and reinstating Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

The opposition claims the decision is politically motivated.

The government argues the case stems from internal party allegations of corruption.

Kilicdaroglu, who led the CHP for 13 years without winning national elections, has begun reestablishing his executive board.

Observers suggest the legal cases against the CHP aim to weaken the party before the next election.