ANKARA, Oct 24 (Reuters) -

A Turkish court dismissed a case seeking to oust the main

opposition party's leader, Ozgur Ozel, 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 Ozel, 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

rose 3.4% and the lira strengthened.