Turkish opposition leader defies ouster by state-controlled court

ISTANBUL - Following his removal as leader of Turkey's main opposition party by a court controlled by rival Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP), Republican People's Party (CHP) head Ozgur Ozel has said he isn't going anywhere.

"As long as it is not the members of the CHP but the AKP's judicial authorities who decide who should lead the CHP, I will remain in this building and not go anywhere," Ozel wrote on X on Friday.

Erdogan and the AKP have governed Turkey since 2003. Recent years have been marked by increasing authoritarianism.

In defiance of the court, Ozel set off for the party's headquarters in Ankara on Thursday evening, together with other CHP members, after the ruling removing him from the party leadership became known.

He has not left since.

Discussions are taking place there, but the opposition politician is also receiving solidarity visits from other parties, the CHP wrote on X.

Former party leadership reinstated

The court in Ankara on Thursday decreed that the CHP's former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu and the previous leadership should temporarily take over the reins of the party.

Kilicdaroglu has already taken up his duties as interim party leader, according to media reports.

He had been CHP chairman for more than 10 years, but was regarded as a lackluster politician and lost to Erdogan in a run-off in the 2023 presidential elections.

Following his defeat, Ozel replaced him at the helm of the CHP and realigned the party.

EU expresses concern

The European Union expressed concern about the decision and called on Turkey to uphold democratic standards.

The court ruling, as well as earlier measures against elected officials and opposition politicians "gives rise to questions about the rule of law, fundamental rights, democratic pluralism and the independence of the judiciary," a spokeswoman for the E.U.'s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said.

Democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights are central components of the E.U. accession process, the spokeswoman explained.

As an E.U. candidate country, she said Turkey is expected to adhere to the highest standards. Opposition figures must be able to act freely, and judicial and administrative proceedings must not be used for intimidation, the spokeswoman added.

"Turkish people deserve to enjoy the benefits of a vibrant and competitive democracy, where the voice of the people is heard."

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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 12:49 PM.