Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozer 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 party, marking a major split in the opposition as it faces an ongoing legal crackdown.This follows a court ruling in May that canceled the Republican People’s Party’s 2023 congress and reinstated former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, stripping Ozer of the Republican People’s Party chairmanship.Ozer and his supporters said the ruling was politically motivated, while the Turkish government denied any interference and insisted the judiciary acted independently, Reuters reported.
Ozer says new party marks ‘new beginning’
In a speech to more than 80 Republican People’s Party MPs in parliament, Ozer said the decision to leave the party was not a retreat, but the beginning of a new phase in opposition politics.Ozer said: “Today we are on the verge of a sad farewell, a farewell that is inevitable and the time to say goodbye has arrived. However, we want to share with people that we carry the hope of a new beginning.”Ozer also told lawmakers, “We are taking the first steps together with our country’s elected representatives to establish our new political party. These are firm steps towards governing Turkey.”According to the Associated Press, although the name of the new party has not been officially announced, it is expected to be called Yeni Parti (New Party) and may be formally established later this week.
Most CHP lawmakers expected to join
Most Republican People’s Party voters and lawmakers are expected to follow Ozer in joining the new party.Many of the 135 members of the 600-member Turkish parliament are expected to defect, potentially making the new party the country’s main opposition force.Ozer said the new political group would “significantly” become the main opposition in parliament.
Court ruling deepens opposition crisis
The split stems from a court ruling in May that canceled the Republican People’s Party’s 2023 leadership election due to alleged irregularities and reinstated former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu.Kilicdaroglu, who led the Republican People’s Party for 13 years, lost the 2023 presidential election to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was subsequently replaced by Ozer.Ozer, 51, described the court’s ruling as part of a broader legal campaign against the opposition.The Republican People’s Party has faced multiple investigations in recent months, particularly into alleged corruption in cities governed by the party. Hundreds of elected officials and party members were reportedly detained.Those facing legal action include Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamogluis widely regarded as Erdogan’s most powerful political challenger.Imamoglu has been arrested and jailed since last March and faces multiple criminal cases that could lead to lengthy prison terms.The Turkish government has repeatedly denied accusations of political interference in justice.Officials insist the court is independent, while Erdogan has described the Republican People’s Party leadership battle as an intra-party matter.
Split could strengthen Erdogan’s position
A crisis within the opposition could improve President Erdogan’s prospects of extending his more than two decades of rule.Analysts believe that political instability could benefit the ruling government if parliamentary or presidential elections are held earlier than the scheduled 2028 vote.Despite the legal challenges, Ozer oversaw one of the strongest electoral performances by the Republican People’s Party in recent years.Under his leadership, the party defeated Erdogan’s ruling coalition in the 2024 municipal elections and expanded its control over multiple cities while retaining key metropolitan areas such as Istanbul and Ankara.
