Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu

On 21 May 2026, a court annulled the CHP's 2023 congress because of irregularities and reinstated Kılıçdaroğlu as party leader, removing Özgür Özel. The decision triggered a major crisis and a split within the opposition.

State of the evidence

Documented

In proceedings concerning alleged insults against Mustafa Doğan İnal, a former lawyer for Erdoğan, an Istanbul court ordered in October 2024 that Kılıçdaroğlu be forcibly brought before it. The measure triggered political outrage and was withdrawn the following day.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following his defeat by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the 2023 presidential election, Kılıçdaroğlu faced strong criticism of his electoral strategy and decision to remain CHP leader. He lost the party leadership to Özgür Özel in November 2023.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Political responsibility

Kılıçdaroğlu accused Erdoğan and members of his circle of being linked to financial transfers to a company on the Isle of Man. The allegations led to several civil actions and damages awards; certain decisions were overturned and subsequently retried.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Accused

Kılıçdaroğlu's selection as the opposition's joint presidential candidate led to İYİ Parti's dramatic withdrawal from the six-party alliance in March 2023, with Meral Akşener considering Ekrem İmamoğlu or Mansur Yavaş more competitive. The alliance was reconstituted a few days later around a compromise.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Direct responsibility

In May 2022, Kılıçdaroğlu went to SADAT's headquarters and accused the company of being a paramilitary organisation training terrorists; he stated that it and the presidential palace would be responsible if election security were compromised.

Attribution

Personally implicated

In October 2022, Kılıçdaroğlu proposed legislation guaranteeing the rights of women wearing headscarves in public service and professional life. Coming from a party historically associated with headscarf restrictions, the gesture was presented as an attempt to heal an old division, but also gave Erdoğan an opportunity to propose a broader constitutional amendment.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Political responsibility