Ankara appeals court annulled the main opposition CHP's leadership congresses and removed its elected leader, reinstating his predecessor

On 21 May 2026 the Ankara Regional Court of Justice declared the CHP's 2023 congresses 'absolute nullity', removed party leader Özgür Özel and reinstated former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The government said the ruling renewed faith in the rule of law and denied using courts against opponents; the CHP called it an attempted coup through the judiciary.