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last mo.

Istanbul Court Voids CHP Provincial Congress, Installs Interim Chief as Detentions Expand

The cash-for-votes finding escalates pressure on the opposition ahead of a 15 September hearing that could upend its national leadership.

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Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, mayoral candidate of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), accompanied by CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Ozgur Celik, talks to media at his party's local headquarters in Istanbul, Turkey March 31, 2024. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File photo
FILE - Republican People's Party or (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel gestures to party members during his speech during a CHP convention, in Ankara, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Unal, file)
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Overview

  • Tuesday’s ruling annulled the CHP’s 8 October 2023 Istanbul provincial congress, removed provincial chair Özgür Çelik and his board, and named veteran figure Gürsel Tekin as interim head.
  • Authorities on Wednesday ordered the detention of seven employees from the opposition-run Beşiktaş and Avcılar municipalities in Istanbul, following earlier arrests of multiple CHP mayors and officials.
  • Turkish markets fell sharply after the decision, with the BIST 100 sliding more than 5% on Tuesday and opening lower Wednesday, while bonds weakened and foreign investors sold Turkish assets.
  • Traders said the central bank sold roughly $4–5 billion in reserves to steady the lira, according to market reports, as CHP leader Özgür Özel prepared to address supporters at an Istanbul rally.
  • A separate Ankara case set for 15 September could overturn the CHP’s 2023 national congress that elected Özel, and prosecutors are seeking one to three years in prison for Çelik and nine others over alleged bribery.