22/05/2026 (Agence Europe) – The spokesperson for the European External Action Service condemned on Friday 22 May the Ankara Court of Appeal’s decision the previous day to annul the regular and extraordinary congresses of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) held in November 2023, thereby invalidating the election of Özgür Özel as head of this main Turkish opposition party. This annulment – together with the earlier accusations, arrests, prosecutions and removals from office of elected representatives and opposition figures – “gives rise to questions about the Rule of law, fundamental rights, democratic pluralism and the independence of the judiciary”, he stressed in a statement. The spokesperson recalled that judicial and administrative proceedings must not be used to intimidate opposition parties and political figures or to hinder their participation in the political process on an equal footing with the parties in power. (CG)