Political party, the CHP, commemorates its 102nd anniversary amidst ongoing leadership disputes within its Istanbul chapter

The Republican People's Party (CHP) celebrated its 102nd anniversary on September 9, with a significant ceremony held in Istanbul's Taksim Square. The event was marked by the presence of CHP leader Özgür Özel, who laid a wreath at the Republic Monument during the celebration.

Before arriving in Istanbul, Özel led a delegation to Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of modern Turkey and CHP founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In the guest book, Özel wrote that they will defend the party, the ballot box, democratic competition, and the multi-party system at any cost.

The CHP's Istanbul leadership was suspended due to alleged irregularities in its 2023 provincial congress, as per a court ruling last week. In response, Gürsel Tekin, a former CHP lawmaker, was appointed as interim provincial chair. Tekin placed a wreath at Taksim on behalf of the provincial leadership, but his appointment was met with protests from CHP officials and supporters at the party's Istanbul headquarters the previous day.

Tekin's goal was not to inflame the situation, and he entered the building under police escort, where he was met with boos. Özel, however, addressed the crowd, stating that the party will not surrender to attempts to remove the ballot box from the Istanbul branch and bring in appointees. He also declared that he will not forgive anyone who wants to harm the party by becoming a tool of the palace.

A heavy police presence was surrounding the event during the celebration, and Özgür Çelik, the ousted provincial head, and other officials also attended the ceremony.

Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conducted a wreath-laying ceremony at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the same day in Istanbul. The ongoing legal battle in Ankara is expected to decide on the legitimacy of a 2023 convention that elected Özgür Özel as party leader. The outcome of this battle may have significant implications for the future of the CHP and Turkish politics as a whole.

Political party, the CHP, commemorates its 102nd anniversary amidst ongoing leadership disputes within its Istanbul chapter