Turkish CHP upholds mayor expulsions and rejects appeals

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said municipal mayors should not manage the party, emphasizing that the party is run by the chairman and party bodies. The party’s High Disciplinary Board (YDK) rejected eight appeals from expelled provincial party heads and other officials, confirming their disciplinary removal. The board will announce final decisions on the cases at a meeting scheduled for 13 July.

The disciplinary process also involves nine CHP parliamentarians; only one appeal – concerning Group Deputy Chairman Gökhan Günaydın – was withdrawn. Two members, including former mayor Tanju Özcan, faced expulsion requests, and Özcan announced his resignation from the party.

These actions are part of a broader internal cleansing effort within the CHP, affecting local party structures across several Turkish provinces.