Ozgur Ozel Launches 'New Party' Following Ouster from Turkey's CHP

Ozgur Ozel, the deposed chairman of Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP), has officially formed the 'New Party' after a court order annulled his leadership and reinstated Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Accompanied by 90 defecting lawmakers, Ozel's move significantly shifts the parliamentary landscape, making the New Party the primary opposition force with 91 seats compared to the CHP's remaining 44. The split follows a period of intense political pressure, including the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and widespread detentions of opposition officials, which Ozel characterizes as a systematic crackdown by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration.

// Background

The CHP is Turkey's oldest political party and the primary secular opposition. Under Ozel's leadership, the party delivered a significant blow to Erdogan's AKP in the 2024 municipal elections. However, the party has faced internal friction between the 77-year-old Kilicdaroglu, who led for 13 years, and the 51-year-old Ozel. This schism occurs amidst a broader environment where high-profile challengers like Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu face legal battles that could result in decades-long sentences.

// Key Developments

• Ozgur Ozel and 90 legislators resigned from the CHP to register the 'New Party' with the Interior Ministry.
• The New Party now holds 91 seats, surpassing the CHP's 44 seats to become the primary opposition in the 600-seat parliament.
• The move follows a May court of appeal decision that annulled Ozel's 2023 election as CHP chair citing irregularities.
• Supporters view the judicial intervention and subsequent leadership crisis as a state-led effort to weaken Erdogan's rivals.
• The political shift occurs while high-profile challenger Ekrem Imamoglu remains imprisoned on corruption-related charges.