Özgür Özel Leads Push for New Party Amid CHP Crisis

CHP leader Özgür Özel and his close allies have accelerated preparations for a new political party following the party’s “mutlak butlan” decision, which could trigger a split. Their team collected 833 signatures, of which 99 were deemed valid, and filed a request with the Sulh Hukuk Mahkemesi to convene an extraordinary congress. Legal experts expect a court ruling by the start of the judicial holiday on 20 July, after which Özel plans to announce the new party. The dates 20 July and 24 July have been cited as critical deadlines for the party’s internal calendar, though Özel says they relate to procedural deadlines, not a party launch.

Other CHP figures, including Manisa provincial head İlksen Özalper and MP Zeynel Emre, have voiced support for the initiative and criticized the party’s leadership for dismissing dissenters. AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik responded to Özel’s Financial Times article, accusing him of seeking “external tutelage.” Rumors that former İzmir mayor Cemil Tugay might defect to the AK Party have been denied by Tugay himself. The unfolding dispute threatens to reshape Turkey’s opposition landscape ahead of upcoming elections.