The ousted leader of Turkey’s main opposition party has called for a new party congress to be held within approximately 40 days, following a court ruling that overturned the party’s current leadership and intensified the country’s political turmoil.

On Thursday, a Turkish appeals court annulled the results of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) congress held in 2023, citing unspecified irregularities. The court reinstated former CHP Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who had been replaced by the ousted leader, Muharrem Ozel. Kilicdaroglu is a polarizing figure within the party and was the CHP’s presidential candidate earlier this year, losing to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ozel, speaking to reporters, emphasized that the priority was to organize a new congress promptly. He noted that 110 of the CHP’s 138 lawmakers had elected him as head of the party’s parliamentary group on the previous Saturday, and he declared that he would preside over the CHP’s parliamentary meetings instead of Kilicdaroglu. Ozel and his faction have condemned the court’s decision as a “judicial coup” and vowed to challenge it through legal appeals. He also stated his intention to remain at the party’s Ankara headquarters around the clock to manage the unfolding situation.

In response, Kilicdaroglu urged party members to avoid internal divisions and maintain the CHP’s “moral values” amid criticism. “During this process, it is crucial to carefully avoid talk that could divide the party’s grassroots,” he said, aiming to unify the party after the contentious ruling.

Meanwhile, Turkish authorities have taken legal action related to the disputed 2023 congress. On Saturday, state media reported that police detained 13 individuals across seven provinces as part of an investigation into alleged interference with the voting process during the congress. The Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s office stated the suspects face charges including violating laws governing political parties, accepting bribes, and laundering assets from criminal activities. Search and seizure operations were conducted in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Sanliurfa, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, and Malatya.

Political analysts have described the court ruling as a significant test of Turkey’s fragile balance between democratic governance and authoritarian tendencies, noting that it may reinforce Erdogan’s hold on power, which has lasted for 23 years. The decision has also intensified speculation about the timing of the next national election, originally scheduled for 2028. Erdogan, who is 72 and approaching the constitutional term limit, would need an early vote if he intends to seek another term. The recent ruling is therefore seen by some as increasing the likelihood of snap elections.

The government has denied accusations that it manipulates the judiciary to undermine political opponents, insisting that the courts operate independently.