Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), reelected its chairman, Ozgur Ozel, on Sunday, two weeks after the arrest of Istanbul’s opposition Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

Imamoglu, who had become the main rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was arrested on corruption charges, sparking widespread protests.

The opposition claims the charges are politically motivated, while the government insists on judicial independence.

While in prison, Imamoglu was confirmed as the CHP’s presidential candidate for the 2028 election.

Ozel called the extraordinary congress to prevent a government-appointed caretaker from taking control of the party, accusing the government of using intimidation to stay in power, the Associated Press has reported.

The congress also saw support from former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and the European Parliament’s Party of European Socialists.

Written by B.C. Begley