Turkish Opposition Leader Ozgur Ozel Unveils New Political Party Amid Political Tensions

Ozgur Ozel announced plans to establish a new opposition party following his removal as leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) by court order.

By Reuters and The Associated Press

Published On 21 Jul 202621 Jul 2026

The former CHP leader revealed his intent to form a new political entity during a parliamentary address on Tuesday. Ozel lost his party leadership in May due to a court decision that reinstated former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, whom opponents have characterized as part of a broader crackdown by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

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Ozel emphasized his new venture represents “a fresh start” in efforts to challenge Turkey’s long-ruling administration, signaling a strategic realignment within the opposition landscape.

The unnamed party is anticipated to draw significant support from CHP members, potentially triggering a mass exodus of lawmakers and voters from the centrist CHP, established over a century ago by Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Turkey’s opposition has endured mounting legal challenges since late 2024, with hundreds of elected officials and party members facing imprisonment, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who remains in custody pending corruption allegations.

“Our formation of this new party marks the beginning of a coordinated effort to reclaim governance in Turkey,” Ozel stated. “These actions reflect a committed march toward leading Turkey’s future,”

This initiative follows an appeals court ruling in May that stripped Ozel of his CHP leadership position, a move widely interpreted as politically motivated by critics.

While analysts speculate that a new Ozel-led party could fragment opposition support, others caution that such a split might inadvertently benefit Erdogan by dispersing anti-government forces.

Politically Motivated “Coup”

Criminal probes targeting CHP-affiliated municipalities—primarily involving corruption claims—have resulted in the detention of hundreds of officials and party members, including Imamoglu, who is regarded as Erdogan’s most formidable electoral rival.

Imamoglu has been imprisoned since March 2025, facing allegations that could lead to lengthy prison sentences.

Ozel and supporters describe the court rulings against him and systematic legal actions against the CHP as a politically driven “coup.” The government maintains that judicial decisions are independent of political pressures.

Erdogan, who has governed Turkey for over two decades, asserts that the legal case against Ozel represents an internal CHP dispute rather than state interference.

Under Ozel’s previous leadership, the CHP made notable gains in the 2024 municipal elections, reclaiming key cities like Istanbul and Ankara after five years of opposition.

Experts argue that Ozel’s new party could inadvertently aid Erdogan by dividing the opposition, though success would require the new entity to rapidly consolidate opposition unity.

“A strong societal reaction and organizational cohesion are essential for the new party to become the opposition’s central force,” noted Murat Gezici, head of pollster Gezici. “Short-term, however, Erdogan and the AK Party stand to gain from the opposition’s disarray.”

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