Overview

• Özel won 835 of 917 delegate votes in Ankara, with Halk TV reporting he received all valid ballots.
• The bribery case alleges delegates were paid at the 2023 congress and could invalidate that leadership vote, with proceedings continuing on October 24.
• The CHP rejects the accusations as politically motivated, while the government denies any interference with the judiciary.
• Under Özel, the party became the strongest force in the 2024 local elections, winning the most mayoralties nationwide.
• Since those elections numerous CHP politicians, including mayors, have been arrested, and Özel backs a potential presidential bid by Istanbul’s Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was detained and removed in March.