Amid growing internal strife, Türkiye’s primary opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), is on the brink of a significant division. The catalyst for this potential split is former party leader Özgür Özel, who plans to establish a new political party in the wake of his unsuccessful bid to reclaim the CHP leadership from Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.
Speculation is rife regarding the number of CHP lawmakers who might align themselves with Özel’s new venture. While those loyal to Özel anticipate that approximately 80 lawmakers will join him, internal party estimates suggest a more conservative figure of about 60. This uncertainty casts doubt on the new party’s ability to position itself as the dominant opposition force in Parliament.
The looming division highlights deeper ideological rifts within the CHP concerning its future trajectory. There is additional hesitation among members due to the enduring influence of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the former mayor of Istanbul, who continues to wield substantial political clout despite facing ongoing legal challenges.
Özel himself is not without legal challenges. He is currently the subject of multiple parliamentary immunity cases, which could pose a significant hurdle if the legislative body decides to revoke his legal protections. This potential legal vulnerability could impact his efforts to rally support for his new political movement.