CHP turmoil: Kılıçdaroğlu return and Gül candidacy rumors

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ANKARA, TURKEY —  The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) is currently engulfed in a wave of political rumors following claims that former chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is preparing to reclaim his leadership position and initiate a massive internal purge.

According to reports circulating in Ankara's political corridors, these maneuvers coincide with discussions regarding the potential presidential candidacy of former President Abdullah Gül. These claims, brought to light by prominent commentators Barış Yarkadaş and Fatih Atik, suggest a significant shift in the party's strategy as it looks toward the next election cycle.

The Abdullah Gül candidacy debate

Former CHP MP Barış Yarkadaş stated during a broadcast on TV100 that Abdullah Gül’s name is being seriously considered as a potential presidential candidate. Yarkadaş emphasized that his claim is based on specific "inside information," noting that a similar proposal was tabled in 2018.

"Do not be surprised if Abdullah Gül is brought to the table as a serious presidential candidate in the coming period," Yarkadaş said. He recalled the 2018 discussions, noting that those who opposed Gül's candidacy at the time faced political marginalization. His comments suggest that the "Gül formula" is once again being viewed as a bridge to conservative voters, despite previous internal resistance.

Kılıçdaroğlu’s return and the "İmamoğlu purge"

Simultaneously, journalist Fatih Atik reported on TGRT that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is actively preparing to return as the party’s General Chairman. Atik alleged that Kılıçdaroğlu’s primary objective upon returning would be to "cleanse" the party of figures associated with corruption allegations and those who orchestrated the recent leadership change.

The most explosive part of Atik's claim involves the future of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. "Kılıçdaroğlu’s first order of business will be to expel İmamoğlu and his entire team from the party," Atik claimed. This potential move would signal a total reversal of the "change" movement that saw Özgür Özel take the chairmanship, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation between the party's old guard and the current administration.

Ankara’s waiting game

As these claims gain traction, the current CHP leadership has yet to issue a formal rebuttal. Observers suggest that the revival of these rumors indicates deep-seated fractures within the party that never truly healed after the 2023 general election loss.

If Kılıçdaroğlu indeed moves to reclaim his seat, it would force the party into a polarizing convention that could either solidify his legacy or lead to a permanent splintering of the opposition's largest bloc.

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