New Delhi, May 22: Head of the main opposition -The Republican People Party (CHP) Ozgur Ozel has been removed from the party post. It is seen a big blow to challengers of President Erdogan.
The ruling, issued by an appeals court in Ankara on Thursday, annulled a 2023 leadership contest within the Republican People’s party, deposing the party’s leader, Özgür Özel.He has become the face of Turkey’s opposition, seen as responsible for the rejuvenation of the party.
The court ordered that Özel be replaced by his predecessor, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who lost a pivotal general election to Erdoğan in 2023 .Unseating Özel was widely criticised as an effort to subdue theopposition and reinstall a leader who is more amenable to Erdoğan’s rule.
Since the 2024 elections, observers have denounced a fresh crackdown targeting opponents of Erdoğan’s rule, primarily opposition mayors and local officials from the opposition. More than 20 opposition mayors have been detained on a wave of corruption, bribery and terrorism-related charges.
