Turkish Court Dismisses Case Against Main Opposition, Boosting Markets

A Turkish court has dismissed a high-profile case seeking to remove the main opposition party leader, Ozgur Ozel, and annul the 2023 congress of the Republican People's Party (CHP). This ruling eases some pressure on President Tayyip Erdogan’s adversaries amid a year-long legal crackdown that had stirred controversy over Turkey's democratic integrity.

The court declared the allegations of irregularities in the 2023 CHP congress unsubstantial, citing Ozel's re-election during a recent extraordinary congress. This decision led to a positive surge in Turkish assets, with the Borsa Istanbul index rising more than 4% and the lira gaining strength against the dollar.

Ozgur Ozel, a prominent figure since the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, has been at the forefront of anti-government protests. The court's decision to maintain his leadership avoids potential disarray within the opposition, which remains neck and neck with Erdogan’s AK Party in the polls. Meanwhile, the CHP faces broader charges deemed politically motivated, though the government insists on judicial impartiality.