Turkey's main opposition splits as Ozgur Ozel launches new party

Turkey's opposition leader Ozgur Ozel announced on Tuesday that he and his allies will resign from the country's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and form a new political party, marking a major split in the opposition as it faces an ongoing legal crackdown.The move follows a court ruling in May that stripped Ozel of his position as CHP chairman by annulling the party's 2023 congress and reinstating former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.Ozel and his supporters have described the ruling as politically motivated, while the Turkish government has denied any interference, insisting the judiciary acts independently, according to Reuters.Ozel says new party marks 'new beginning'Addressing more than 80 CHP lawmakers in parliament, Ozel said the decision to leave the party was not a retreat but the start of a new phase of opposition politics."Today, we are on the brink of a sad farewell that has become inevitable and whose time has come. However, we would like to share with the people that we carry the hope of a new beginning," Ozel said.Ozel also told lawmakers, "We are establishing our new party by taking the first step together with the deputies chosen by our nation. These are the determined steps of a march toward governing Turkiye."While the new party's name has not been officially announced, it is expected to be called Yeni Parti (New Party) and could be formally launched later this week, reported news agency AP.Majority of CHP lawmakers expected to joinMost CHP voters and parliamentarians are expected to follow Ozel into the new party.Many of the CHP's 135 lawmakers in Turkey's 600-member parliament are expected to defect, potentially allowing the new party to become the country's main opposition force.Ozel said the new political formation would become parliament's principal opposition "by a wide margin".Court ruling deepens opposition crisisThe split stems from a May court decision that annulled the CHP's 2023 leadership election over alleged irregularities and reinstated former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu.Kilicdaroglu, who led the CHP for 13 years, lost the 2023 presidential election to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before being replaced by Ozel.Ozel, 51, has portrayed the court ruling as part of a broader legal campaign targeting the opposition.The CHP has faced multiple investigations in recent months, particularly over alleged corruption in municipalities governed by the party. Hundreds of elected officials and party members have reportedly been detained.Among those facing legal action is Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, widely regarded as Erdogan's strongest political challenger.Imamoglu was arrested and has been imprisoned since March last year and faces several criminal cases that could result in lengthy prison sentences.The Turkish government has repeatedly rejected allegations of political interference in the judiciary.Officials maintain the courts are independent, while Erdogan has described the dispute over CHP leadership as an internal party matter.Split could strengthen Erdogan's positionThe crisis within the opposition could improve President Erdogan's prospects of extending his more than two-decade rule.Analysts believe the political turmoil may benefit the ruling government if parliamentary or presidential elections are called earlier than the scheduled 2028 vote.Despite the legal challenges, Ozel had overseen one of the CHP's strongest electoral performances in recent years.Under his leadership, the party defeated Erdogan's ruling alliance in the 2024 municipal elections, expanding its control over several cities while retaining key metropolitan municipalities including Istanbul and Ankara.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.