Turkey's Erdogan strengthens hold while ex-CHP chief eyes new opposition party

July 15, 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the failed 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has used the anniversary to highlight his role in thwarting the plot and to underscore the power he has consolidated over the military, media and judiciary since then.

On the same day, former CHP leader Özgür Özel announced plans to establish a new opposition party, condemning the coup and accusing current CHP head Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu of being a "marionette" of Erdogan. Özel said formal steps to create the party will follow the outcome of an ongoing court case, with a possible launch by late July or early August, and warned that the CHP could miss the legal requirements to run in upcoming elections if it fails to hold a congress.