The party leadership of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who first won the position in 2010, was challenged by several other party members, notably including former CHP parliamentary group leader Muharrem İnce, and former president of the Istanbul Bar Association, Ümit Kocasakal.

[2] Of the five contenders announcing their candidacy for the leadership, only two, namely Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Muharrem İnce, obtained the required 127 signatures from delegates to formally nominate themselves.

[3] The run up to the convention saw fierce infighting between the nationalist and left-wing factions of the party, with particular criticism being directed at Kılıçdaroğlu for seeking another term as leader despite losing every national election and referendum since 2010.

Particular criticism was directed at the party leadership for allegedly skewing electoral processes in their favour.

[5][6] The following people announced their candidate for the leadership but failed to collect enough signatures to formally nominate themselves:[7]