Turkey's Ekrem İmamoğlu and Özgür Özel clash over new party formation

Following a leadership shake‑up in the Republican People’s Party (CHP), imprisoned mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and former CHP leader Özgür Özel have been negotiating the creation of a new political party. The two sides disagree on the timing, name and candidate list, with Özel’s team estimating up to 73 sitting MPs could join, while CHP officials forecast 45‑67 departures. The split threatens to reshape the balance of opposition seats in the Turkish parliament.

The dispute also involves internal CHP restructuring, including reports that four provincial chairmen may be removed. Both factions see the new party as a vehicle to alter the opposition landscape, with a potential formal launch after July 20, contingent on court decisions and the parliamentary recess.