Rival leaders of Turkey's main opposition party call competing meetings

Both Ozel and Kilicdaroglu announced plans to address party lawmakers on Tuesday, leading to competing meetings. Ozel's supporters gathered in the parliamentary hall, while Kilicdaroglu announced a separate meeting at party headquarters, setting a time shortly after the parliamentary session was due to begin.

Kilicdaroglu stated he was calling on party members and citizens to join his meeting, aiming to purge the party of corruption, a charge the ousted leadership denies and calls a politically motivated "coup." The CHP, a secular and centrist party, has been facing judicial scrutiny since 2024, with hundreds of members detained on corruption charges, which the party refutes.

Analysts suggest the internal strife within the CHP could benefit President Erdogan, potentially allowing him to call early elections and extend his rule. The CHP, which holds 138 seats in the 600-seat assembly, saw about two-thirds of its deputies vote to make Ozel the head of its parliamentary group following the court ruling.

A CHP voter expressed that Ozel should fight to retain control but indicated readiness to support another party if he fails.