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CHP expels six members following appointment of Istanbul chairman

26 September 2025 17:52 (UTC +04:00)

The Republican People's Party (CHP) has expelled Gürsel Tekin, Savaş Aras, Erkan Narsap, Zeki Şen, Levent Çelik and Bariş Yarkadaş, who were appointed as CHP Istanbul chairmen by a court decision, APA reports, citing Turkish media.

They were expelled from the party on the grounds of "their duties and responsibilities in the party and their behavior incompatible with membership."

Note that discussions regarding the CHP Istanbul leadership began at the 2023 congress. Özgür Çelik was elected chairman at the CHP Istanbul congress held on October 8, 2023. However, accusations of "vote fraud" emerged after the election. As a precautionary measure, the court ruled to remove the chairman and board members elected at the congress and to appoint a temporary board. Gürsel Tekin was appointed chairman by the court decision. The CHP leadership's harsh reaction to this decision led to tension between the police and party members around its headquarters in Sarıyer.

The Turkish Central Election Commission approved the CHP's Istanbul congress.

Later, a CHP Istanbul chairman was elected. Özgür Çelik was re-elected to this position.