Turkish opposition fights court ousting of leaders in ruling boosting Erdoğan
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- The Turkish appeals court annulled the 2023 leadership election of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), removing Özgür Özel and reinstating former leader Kemal Kilicdaroğlu, prompting mass protests and accusations of a "judicial coup" from Özel.
- Özel vowed to challenge the ruling in court and at the supreme election council (YSK), while the CHP executive rejected the court's authority, warning the decision threatens Turkey's democracy and the party's unity.
- Justice Minister Akin Gürlek, formerly Istanbul's chief prosecutor known for targeting opposition figures like jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, defended the ruling as reinforcing democratic trust.
- The ruling caused political and economic turmoil, with Turkey's stock market plunging and opposition leaders warning of potential snap elections amid a struggling economy.
- Separately, President Erdoğan ordered the abrupt closure of Istanbul's independent Bilgi University, a move criticized by academics as a significant blow to a longstanding educational institution.