Turkish court dismisses case seeking to oust opposition leader

A Turkish court dismissed a case seeking to oust the main opposition party’s leader, Özgür Özel, and annul its 2023 congress over irregularities, in a move that could ease tensions triggered by a year-long legal crackdown on the party.

The case in an Ankara court was seen as a test of the country’s shaky balance between democracy and autocracy. The verdict came amid an unprecedented year-long legal crackdown on the Republican People’s Party (CHP) that has left hundreds of its members and elected leaders in prison.

Had the court ruled to oust Özel, it could have thrown the opposition into further disarray and infighting, boosting President Tayyip Erdogan’s chances of extending his 22-year rule of the big NATO member country and major emerging market economy.

But the court threw out the case, boosting Turkish assets. After the verdict, Turkey’s main Borsa Istanbul index .XU100 rose 3.4% and the lira strengthened.