Police intervene at CHP headquarters following leadership dispute

On May 24, 2026, Turkish police conducted an operation at the Ankara headquarters of the Republican People's Party (CHP) using tear gas and plastic bullets to enforce a court ruling. The Ankara Court of Appeals invalidated the results of the party's November 2023 congress, effectively removing Özgür Özel from the leadership and reinstating his predecessor, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The intervention was initiated following a formal request by Kılıçdaroğlu's lawyer, Celal Çelik, to remove the current party administration. While supporters of the two factions clashed at the site, Özel denounced the move as a politically motivated attempt to weaken the party and facilitate a handover to the ruling AKP. Additionally, 13 individuals were arrested across seven provinces as part of a separate prosecutor's investigation into allegations of electoral fraud, bribery, and money laundering related to the 38th party congress. Kılıçdaroğlu has called on all party organizations and officials to comply with the court's decision, citing party discipline. Despite the pressure, Özel stated he intends to challenge the decision and fight for the party's democratic future.