Turkey's opposition is entering a new phase of political realignment after Özgür Özel, the court-removed chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), announced on Tuesday that he is resigning from the party and establishing a new political formation, declaring his ambition to become the largest opposition force in the Turkish parliament.
Özel made the announcement during his farewell address to the CHP parliamentary group in Ankara.
His departure comes two months after a court ruling annulled the CHP's 2023 congress and removed him from the party leadership, reinstating former chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.
Background to the split
Özel's departure follows the internal crisis triggered by a Turkish court's decision in May to annul the CHP's 2023 congress over irregularities and restore Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to the party leadership. The case is expected to be reviewed again by the Council of State in September.
During his address to the CHP parliamentary group, Özel said:
"Today, we stand on the threshold of a sad farewell that has become inevitable and whose time has come. However, we would like to share with the public that we carry the hope of a new beginning."
Entering the hall to chants of "Every ending is a beginning", he announced that the new political movement would begin operations immediately.
"Tomorrow we are founding our new party, taking its first step alongside lawmakers who have been elected and entrusted by the nation. With this new structure, we will become by far the largest opposition party in the Grand National Assembly."
Before leaving the CHP parliamentary podium, he added:
"We are never abandoning the main platform of the opposition and we are counting the days until we reach the platform of the governing party."
He did not disclose the name of the new party.
Criticism of the current situation
Referring to recent developments, Özel argued that Turkey is at a critical turning point and that the CHP has reached a dead end.
"The country is at a historic crossroads. The party is now under occupation... trapped between the annulment decision and the walls of the palace."
At the same time, he argued that the CHP's political legacy remains with him and his supporters.
"We left the building, but we took the legacy with us. Power and the people's mandate are with us. The tradition that founded the Republic is with us."
According to Özel, the formation of the new party does not represent a departure from the principles of the CHP, but rather a continuation of its political course.
"This is not a separation or a surrender. These are the steps needed to continue the journey towards power more dynamically in Turkey."
Call to supporters
Concluding his speech, Özel called on his supporters to follow him in the new political initiative.
"If something is going to break, it will break at its weakest point. Either someone behaves as a CHP member, or someone sits following instructions received from the palace. Are you ready for this new journey? Together on this new road, we will march towards power."
