Former CHP leader Ozgur Ozel plans to form a new political party after a court removed him from his position, causing a significant split in Turkey's main opposition.
Key facts
- •Ozgur Ozel is expected to formally launch the 'Yeni Parti' on Monday.
- •The CHP won 37 percent of the vote in the 2024 local elections before the current internal divisions began.
- •Surveys suggest Ozel's new party could attract more than 30 percent of the vote, while only 5 to 10 percent of voters might remain with the CHP under Kilicdaroglu.
- •Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas is considered the opposition's strongest potential candidate, with polls showing him leading Erdogan by 15 to 20 percentage points.
- •A July survey of 1,985 people found that 81 percent of CHP supporters and 45 percent of AKP voters believe the new party could be successful.
Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel announced Tuesday he will launch a new political party, named Yeni Parti, following a court ruling in May that removed him as chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP). The court annulled the congress that elected Ozel and reinstated former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as interim chairman amid allegations of bribery and irregular lobbying. This development follows months of legal investigations that have resulted in the arrest of 26 opposition mayors on corruption charges.
By the numbers
Impact on Opposition and Government
Reports indicate that 94 of the CHP's 135 MPs and 74 of its 81 provincial chairs are expected to join Ozel's new movement. While the split divides the opposition, some lawmakers loyal to Ozel plan to remain within the CHP to prevent Kilicdaroglu from consolidating total control. Political insiders suggest Kilicdaroglu's return was quietly backed by the government to fracture the opposition, which had previously swept major cities in the 2024 local elections.
Political Outlook for 2028
For President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the split offers a potential advantage in the 2028 presidential election by dividing the opposition vote. However, the new party may pose a long-term risk as it lacks the historical baggage of the CHP, which Erdogan has previously characterized as an elitist and disconnected movement. A July poll by IstanPol and Rawest Research found that 55.9 percent of respondents believe the new party could succeed, with support extending to some voters currently aligned with the ruling coalition.
Timeline
- May 2024A court removed Ozgur Ozel as CHP chairman and reinstated Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
- July 3-10, 2024IstanPol and Rawest Research conducted a survey of 1,985 people regarding the new party.
- TuesdayOzgur Ozel announced he would launch a new political party.
- MondayThe new party is expected to be formally launched.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Middle East Eye.
