They will not be able to stand in front of the people

While the palace regime continues its attacks on the opposition, following the appointment of a trustee to the CHP Istanbul Provincial Headquarters and the interventions in district congresses, calls for a democratic front in the fight against the regime, underlined by CHP Leader Özgür Özel, have come to the forefront of politics.

The importance of expanding the grounds for a united struggle against the regime, which has escalated its attacks on the opposition through operations, trustee policies, detentions, and arrests, has once again become clear. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel reacted to the government, saying, "We are in a process where they intend to eliminate the ballot box." Emphasizing the struggle, Özel said, "It was clear that those bound together by the bond of complicity would not simply hand over power through normal means."

On the other hand, after March 19, as the Palace regime opened the door to a new phase in its attacks, discussions flared up that even elections in the country would be held for show and that the ballot box had lost all its importance.

Following attacks on the opposition, the Supreme Election Council (YSK), which drew attention yesterday, convened to consider the CHP's appeal to cancel some district congresses in Istanbul. At the meeting's conclusion, YSK President Ahmet Yener announced that the CHP's objection to the decision to appoint trustees to the Istanbul provincial administration had been rejected. Regarding the district congresses, Yener stated, "The suspension decision has been lifted, and the congresses have been decided to continue where they left off."

The CHP viewed the YSK's decision as a "positive but incomplete decision." CHP officials also highlighted the "complete illegality" of the YSK's decision regarding the continuation of the congresses, stating, "The current trustee appointed to the CHP Istanbul Provincial Administration will serve until our provincial congress."

DESTROYED LAW

CHP members emphasized that the Supreme Election Council (YSK) decision reaffirmed once again that the courts cannot halt congress proceedings. CHP officials described the YSK decision as "a small measure of repair to the damaged legal system," and highlighted the economic devastation caused by the precautionary measures taken to halt the Istanbul Provincial Congress and Provincial Administration.

CHP members stated that the citizens were the losers in the process,

He stated, "The public has lost, at the very least, $5 billion. This tension adds nothing to Turkey. Everyone needs to take a step back and proceed with common sense." Meanwhile, the CHP also emphasized the fight against lawlessness with the statement, "We will not kneel against a judicial coup."

HOW WILL THE CONGRESS BE HELD?

Following the Supreme Election Council's (YSK) decision, the question of whether the Istanbul Provincial Congress will convene as an ordinary or extraordinary congress arose. CHP members noted that the number of signatures collected from delegates for the extraordinary congress far exceeded the required number, and stated, "Our delegates will make the final decision. We can hold the congress either way."

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Files related to the provincial congress were sent to Ankara.

The Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance, which is hearing the lawsuit filed for the cancellation of the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023, and the 21st Extraordinary Congress held on April 6, 2025, requested that the civil and criminal case files regarding the CHP's 38th Istanbul Provincial Congress be sent from the relevant courts.

The Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance sent a request to the Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance, requesting the file regarding the cancellation of the CHP's Istanbul Provincial Congress. The criminal and legal files related to the CHP's 38th Istanbul Provincial Congress were sent to the courts in Ankara.

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SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN REQUESTING AN EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS

Following the court ruling regarding the Istanbul Provincial Congress, all eyes are now on the case concerning the 38th Ordinary Congress, scheduled for September 15th. Following the Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance's decision to remove CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik and the provincial administration as a precautionary measure, it has been assessed that a similar decision may be made on September 15th.

Following the decision to dismiss the Istanbul Provincial Administration, CHP members launched a signature collection campaign similar to the one they carried out to demand an extraordinary congress for the congress .

ALL-OUT ATTACK

Petitions requesting the CHP to convene an extraordinary congress emphasized the successful completion of the 38th ordinary congress. The petition stated, "The untrue, slanderous, and gossipy claims made by certain circles about the congress, using the judiciary as a tool, have turned into an all-out attack on the party."

The petition also noted that the 21st extraordinary congress was held at the call of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. It stated that the extraordinary congress "reiterated the complete trust that the delegates, especially the chairman, have in the party's organs."

MALICIOUS ATTACKS

The petition, which noted that "malicious efforts and attacks against the party continue," addressed the CHP convention, stated, "In this situation, the need has arisen for us, as CHP convention delegates, to intervene and call for an extraordinary congress with elections, in accordance with Article 48 of the bylaws. We have complete confidence in our party's chairman and the elected bodies at the convention." The petition concluded with, "For these reasons, I respectfully request that the CHP convention be convened in an extraordinary manner, in accordance with Article 48 of the bylaws."

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BABACAN AND GÜRBÜZ WITHDRAWN FROM THE DELEGATION

Hasan Babacan, who was on the trustee board appointed to the CHP's Istanbul Provincial Headquarters and was featured in Gürsel Tekin's video message today, has withdrawn from the board. In a statement, Babacan said, "As someone who has dedicated years to this party, I believe our party must overcome this period with health, unity, and solidarity. Therefore, I have decided not to accept the position entrusted to me." The CHP, on the other hand, has withdrawn its request for Babacan's expulsion from the party.

CHP Deputy Group Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır also announced in a statement in the evening that Müjdat Gürbüz, who was also in the delegation, had withdrawn.

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Alaattin Köseler and 12 other detainees were released yesterday.

Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Köseler, whose release was ordered yesterday, was released from Marmara Prison in Silivri this morning. The release order was issued on the third day of the hearing held by the Istanbul Anatolian 17th High Criminal Court for Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Köseler and 12 other detainees who were arrested in operations targeting CHP-run municipalities.

Köseler, whose release notice arrived at the prison around 9:30 a.m., was released shortly thereafter. His family and friends welcomed him as he was released from prison after 187 days.

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WHAT WILL BE THE FUNDAMENTAL AREAS OF CHANGE?

The first step in the CHP's new party program, dubbed the "Popular Program," has been taken. It was announced that the first day of work will be held in three sessions. The roadmap for the new party program, which will be held from September 4-9, has been announced.

HOW WILL THE WORK PROCEED?

The first round of the first day of the CHP Party Program will be held under the title "Projections and Vision." Participants will be asked, "What are the national and international opportunities, threats, transformations, and trends related to your field of work?" Participants will be asked to respond to the question, "What should the CHP's vision be regarding your field of work?"

In the second round, concrete goals will be listed. In this context, answers to the following questions will be sought:

• What benefits could your proposed vision bring to Turkey's long-term interests, economic development, and social welfare?

• What are the justifications for the main transformation areas you propose?

• In the new party program of the CHP, the areas described as “fundamental transformation areas” will be as follows:

• Democracy, justice, development, social welfare, security, international respect, gender equality, climate resilience, disaster resilience, popular local governments, education, science and technology.

STRENGTHENING OR NEW INSTITUTIONS?

In the second session of the workshops, "Implementation Program Proposals" will be put to paper. These will address topics such as equality, green transformation, purple economy, and educational transformation. Party officials and academics working on the CHP's new party program will also conduct work on "Institutions, rights, and the understanding of the state required for major transformations."

Questions to be answered in this context will include:

• Is it necessary to strengthen existing institutions or build new ones to ensure transformation?

• Which rights need to be legally secured in order for transformations to be realized?

• What consequences will these transformations produce in state-society relations?