Turkey's Main Opposition Party Splits as Ousted Leader Announces New Party

▲ Former CHP leader Ozgur Ozel

Ozgur Ozel (52), who was removed from his position as leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) following a court ruling, announced on July 21 (local time) that he would leave the party to establish a new political entity.

With an early election expected next year that could determine the potential extension of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's term, attention is focused on how the fragmentation of the major opposition force will impact the political landscape.

According to reports from outlets including the daily Hurriyet, former leader Ozel stated during a CHP parliamentary group meeting, "We are following the procedures to establish a new party," adding, "This party will become the main opposition party with an overwhelming number of votes."

Ozel announced plans for several lawmakers to defect with him, stating, "Tomorrow, I will take the first step by founding a new party together with fellow lawmakers."

However, he also hinted at the possibility of solidarity with the CHP, saying, "We are well aware that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded this party and that it is his legacy. The name and logo of the party may change, but our unity cannot be broken."

He further emphasized, "We will strictly adhere to the 'Six Arrows' principles."

This refers to "Kemalism," the six founding ideologies established by the first president, Ataturk, who is regarded by the Turkish people as the father of the nation: republicanism, secularism, nationalism, populism, statism, and reformism.

Commenting on Ozel's remarks, Haber7 broadcasted that "the party has been pushed to the brink of division due to the chaos within the CHP stemming from the decision to invalidate the election."

The new party led by Ozel is expected to be named the "New Party."

Ozel's decision to form a new party follows a ruling by an Ankara court in May that stripped him of his eligibility to serve as party leader.

The court cited allegations of voter bribery raised regarding the November 2023 CHP national convention, where Ozel was elected, and revoked his leadership position held for three years, reinstating his predecessor, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, as party leader.

Both inside and outside Turkey, the assessment is that this decision has dealt a significant blow to the CHP.

In March of last year, when Ekrem Imamoglu, then-mayor of Istanbul and a member of the CHP who was considered a strong presidential rival to President Erdogan, was suddenly arrested on charges of terrorism and corruption, Ozel had been at the forefront of the struggle against the ruling party, organizing large-scale anti-government protests while claiming the investigation was a targeted political move by the administration.

On the other hand, the current leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, is considered to have relatively lower political competitiveness, having previously run as the CHP candidate in the presidential election held in May 2023 and losing to President Erdogan of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)

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