Ozgur Ozel, recently ousted as leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has resigned and founded a new political party to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Alongside 90 other lawmakers, Ozel has set up 'Yeni Parti' or 'New Party' to lead the fight against Erdogan. With 91 lawmakers, it will be the second largest party in Turkey's 600-seat parliament after Erdogan's ruling AKP, which holds 277 seats. The CHP, now with 44 lawmakers, falls to fourth place after the pro-Kurdish opposition DEM party, which has 56 seats.
Context of the Split
Ozel's resignation follows a court ruling two months ago that removed him as CHP leader and reinstated his predecessor Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The ruling, which annulled the 2023 leadership election over allegations of vote-buying, was widely seen as a political maneuver to suppress Erdogan's opponents. This decision sparked widespread anger within Turkey's oldest political party. Ozel had appealed the ruling, but procedural delays meant the paperwork did not reach the Supreme Court until just before the summer recess, prompting his decision to establish a new party.
Implications for Turkish Politics
Ozel's new party is expected to become the main opposition force in parliament. This move comes amid growing judicial pressure on the CHP, with hundreds of party officials arrested on graft allegations, including Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. To date, at least 27 CHP mayors are behind bars. Ozel's last speech to lawmakers emphasized Turkey's 'historic crossroads,' vowing to take on a 'difficult and risky burden for the country's sake.'





























