Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Özel announced on Tuesday that he and his allies would resign from the country’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and form a new political party, marking a major split in the opposition as it faces legal action.The move follows a court ruling in May that removed Özel as CHP chairman, canceling the party’s 2023 congress and reinstating former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.According to Reuters, Özel and his supporters have described the decision as politically motivated, while the Turkish government has denied any interference, insisting that the judiciary acts independently.
Özel says new party symbolizes ‘new beginning’
Addressing more than 80 CHP lawmakers in parliament, Özel said the decision to leave the party was not a retreat but the beginning of a new phase of opposition politics.Özel said, “Today, we are on the verge of a sad farewell that has become inevitable and whose time has come. However, we would like to share with people that we look forward to a new beginning.”Özel also told lawmakers, “We are taking the first step together with the representatives elected by our nation to establish our new party. These are determined steps in a march toward governing Turkey.”Although the name of the new party has not been officially announced, it is expected to be called Yeni Party (New Party) and could be formally launched later this week, reports news agency AP.
Most of the CHP MPs are expected to attend
Most CHP voters and MPs are expected to follow Özel to the new party.Several of the CHP’s 135 lawmakers in Turkey’s 600-member parliament are expected to defect, potentially allowing the new party to become the country’s main opposition force.Özel said that the new political formation would become the major opposition in parliament “by a wide margin”.
The opposition’s crisis deepened due to the court’s decision
The division stems from a May court decision that voided the CHP’s 2023 leadership election due to alleged irregularities and reinstated former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu.Kilicdaroglu, who led the CHP for 13 years before being replaced by Özel, lost the 2023 presidential election to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.Özel, 51, has portrayed the court’s decision as part of a broader legal campaign targeting the opposition.The CHP has faced several investigations in recent months, particularly over alleged corruption in municipalities ruled by the party. Hundreds of elected officials and party members have reportedly been detained.These are also among those facing legal action Istanbul Mayor Ekrem ImamogluWidely regarded as Erdogan’s strongest political rival.Imamoglu was arrested and has been in prison since March last year and faces several criminal cases that could result in a lengthy prison sentence.The Turkish government has repeatedly rejected allegations of political interference in the judiciary.Officials say the courts are independent, while Erdogan has described the dispute over CHP leadership as an internal party matter.
Division could strengthen Erdogan’s position
The crisis within the opposition could improve President Erdogan’s chances of extending his rule beyond two decades.Analysts believe political turmoil could benefit the ruling government if parliamentary or presidential elections are called before the scheduled 2028 vote.Despite legal challenges, Özel oversaw one of the CHP’s strongest electoral performances in recent years.Under his leadership, the party defeated Erdogan’s ruling coalition in the 2024 municipal elections, expanding its control over several cities while retaining key metropolitan municipalities, including Istanbul and Ankara.