Administrator, court-appointed, assumes control over CHP Istanbul headquarters despite broad demonstrations

In a dramatic turn of events, the Turkish main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) in Istanbul faced a significant development on Monday. Court-appointed administrator Gursel Tekin entered the CHP headquarters under heavy police protection.

The conflict within the CHP arises from a court ruling that removed the entire Istanbul CHP leadership over alleged irregularities at the party congress two years ago. Tekin was appointed to take over the party's Istanbul provincial office, a move that the CHP views as a politically motivated campaign by the Erdoğan government.

During Tekin's statement outside the building, protesters threw water bottles. In response, Tekin said that the answers will be provided and that they are not part of the problem. He also denied being a "trustee" and stated that the actual trustee is in Esenyurt, Sisli.

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Basarir responded to Tekin's claim that the protesters were not CHP members. Basarir emphasized that if someone betrays the people, they walk with guards and cannot enter their father's house with their head held high.

Tekin insisted that his appointment was aimed at resolving the main opposition party disputes rather than imposing external control. He also stated that his duty is to eliminate the injustice suffered by delegates and provincial administrators. After his statement, Tekin entered the building through a police barricade with riot police escort.

The Istanbul Governor's Office banned demonstrations and marches in six districts following calls for gatherings at the CHP Istanbul headquarters. Tekin, however, emphasized that he and his team came to solve problems, not fight or take the court case.

The court annulled the CHP's 38th Ordinary Istanbul Provincial Congress held on Oct. 8, 2023, removing Istanbul Provincial Chairman Celik and the management from office. The court-appointed temporary committee consists of Tekin, Zeki Sen, Hasan Babacan, Mujdat Gurbuz, and Erkan Narsap. However, Babacan and Gurbuz later withdrew from their positions.

Tekin emphasized his neutrality in the party's internal disputes and stated that he had warned friends using harsh words against each other. This statement came after he was criticized for not being impartial in the party's ongoing conflict.

The situation has been met with protests by CHP supporters in Istanbul, adding to the repressive actions against opposition figures in Turkey. The opposition fears that this move is an attempt to weaken the opposition ahead of future elections and to prevent Ekrem İmamoğlu, the former mayor and Erdoğan rival, from running for presidency.

Administrator, court-appointed, assumes control over CHP Istanbul headquarters despite broad demonstrations