Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) is on the brink of a potentially historic rupture after months of internal strife over its leadership. Ousted leader Ozgur Ozel announced on Tuesday that he would resign from the CHP and launch a new political party.

Speaking to more than 80 CHP lawmakers, Ozel said: '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.' He was removed as CHP head by a court order in May, which also reinstated former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as interim leader.

Ozel and Kilicdaroglu disagreed on how to permanently resolve the leadership issue, leading to a dispute within the party. Ozel's supporters allege the case is part of a broader campaign by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to weaken the opposition, while the government insists Turkey's courts operate independently.

Ozel is reportedly due to submit an application to the Interior Ministry to establish the new party, which will be called 'Yeni Party' (New Party). He enjoys strong support from CHP parliamentarians, and many are expected to defect. 'Once the necessary procedures are completed, the new party we are about to establish will become the main opposition force in the Grand National Assembly by a wide margin,' Ozel claimed.

The dispute comes as investigations targeting CHP-run municipalities continue, including cases against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent rival to President Erdogan. Imamoglu has been imprisoned since March last year and faces multiple criminal cases that could result in decades-long sentences.

After Imamoglu's arrest, Ozel played a key role in mobilizing Turkey's largest street protests in over a decade, which saw the party's popularity rise. Under Ozel's leadership, the CHP also made major gains in the 2024 municipal elections, strengthening its control of key cities including Istanbul and Ankara.

Source: www.dw.com