ANKARA, Turkey – The former leader of Turkey's main opposition party has formed a new political entity, the "New Party," aiming to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ozgur Ozel, along with 90 other legislators, formally resigned from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) to establish the new party, which was registered with the Interior Ministry on Friday.
Ozel's move follows a court decision in May that annulled a previous party congress vote appointing him as CHP chair. The court cited alleged irregularities, reinstating the previous leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Ozel's supporters characterized his ouster as politically motivated, intended to weaken the opposition.
Ozel, 51, had taken over leadership of the CHP from the 77-year-old Kilicdaroglu after 13 years, during which many analysts described the opposition's efforts as ineffective against Erdogan. The recent formation of the New Party is seen by Ozel's supporters as part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures.
In the past two years, numerous CHP-affiliated mayors and officials from municipalities led by the party have faced detention amid criminal investigations, often related to alleged corruption. Notably, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, considered a potential strong challenger to Erdogan, has been imprisoned since March and faces legal cases that could lead to lengthy sentences. It remains unclear if Imamoglu will join the New Party.
The Turkish government maintains that its judiciary is impartial and independent of political influence.
Under Ozel's previous leadership, the CHP achieved significant gains in the 2024 municipal elections, dealing a blow to Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP). With 91 legislators, the New Party is positioned to become the primary opposition force in the 600-seat parliament, as the CHP's seat count has dropped to 44 following the defections. The ruling AKP currently holds 277 seats.
The decision to establish a new party arose after Kilicdaroglu declined repeated requests to hold a new leadership election following the annulment of the prior one.