Cancellation of the CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress and Removal of the Provincial Leadership

The Istanbul Provincial Congress of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) was annulled by a court ruling dated 2 September 2025. In accordance with the court’s decision, the Istanbul Provincial Administration was also temporarily removed from office on the same day. This development within the CHP’s Istanbul organization has created an administrative vacuum in the party’s internal operations.

The removal of the provincial administration following the annulment has led to changes in the distribution of authority and responsibilities within the party structure. Information regarding the process has been reported in both national and international media.

Judicial Decision and Implementation Process

The Istanbul Provincial Congress of the Republican People’s Party was annulled by court ruling on 2 September 2025. Under the same ruling, the Istanbul Provincial Administration was temporarily removed from office. The court, after evaluating objections and petitions submitted, invalidated the elections held at the congress and suspended the powers of the governing bodies.

Following the ruling, the powers of the CHP Istanbul Provincial Administration were effectively terminated, and a temporary administrative restructuring process began within the party. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated that the action “does not constitute a final ruling.” This clarification indicates that the judicial process is ongoing and the decision has not been finalized.

The decision to annul the congress and remove the provincial administration was formally communicated to the party’s central leadership, revealing the necessity for new organizational arrangements. The process was carried out in accordance with the court’s ruling.

Reactions and Implications

Following the annulment of the CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress and the removal of the Istanbul Provincial Administration, statements were issued by party members and official authorities. CHP leaders provided assessments of the decision and shared information on how normal party operations could be maintained.

moments of Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç’s statement regarding the process. (Anadolu Ajansı)

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç made statements regarding the ongoing process.

"By way of an interim decision, the Provincial Chairperson, the full and alternate members of the Provincial Executive Board, and the full and alternate members of the Provincial Disciplinary Board elected at the 38th Ordinary Istanbul Provincial Congress of the Republican People’s Party were temporarily removed from office. A temporary council composed of Gürsel Tekin, Zeki Şen, Hasan Babacan, Müjdat Gürbüz and Erkan Narsap was appointed to exercise the powers of the Provincial Chairperson, the Provincial Executive Board and the Provincial Disciplinary Board on a provisional basis. The continuation of the election process for the 39th Ordinary Grand Congress, as scheduled in the congress calendar, was temporarily suspended for all district congresses and the Istanbul Provincial Congress to be conducted solely by the Istanbul Provincial Organization. Requests for the temporary removal of delegates elected at the 38th Ordinary Istanbul Provincial Congress and for the suspension of all decisions taken at the Istanbul Provincial Congress were rejected. In accordance with Article 394 of the Law on Political Parties, an appeal route remains open against the accepted rulings, and a decision was rendered allowing an appeal to the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice under Article 391 of the Law on Political Parties. The interim decision issued by the court is of a precautionary nature, intended to prevent irreparable harm during the judicial proceedings and does not constitute a final ruling. The judicial process is ongoing."

Changes in Leadership Following the Precautionary Decision

Following the precautionary decision, the court appointed a temporary council consisting of Gürsel Tekin, Zeki Şen, Hasan Babacan, Müjdat Gürbüz and Erkan Narsap to exercise the powers of the CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairperson, the Provincial Executive Board and the Provincial Disciplinary Board on a provisional basis.

YSK Decision

The Supreme Election Council (YSK) reached a decision on applications concerning the CHP’s congress and provincial administration in Istanbul. According to YSK President Ahmet Yener, rulings suspending district election committee congresses in Sarıyer, Tuzla, Bakırköy, Başakşehir and Ataşehir, along with Küçükçekmece, Sancaktepe, Bayrampaşa, Esenyurt, Çekmeköy, Avcılar, Beylikdüzü, Kartal and Zeytinburnu, were fully annulled due to legal violations, and the congresses were ordered to proceed. However, the CHP’s appeal regarding the removal of the Istanbul Provincial Administration was rejected.