Özgür Özel Leads Split in Turkey's CHP, Plans New Party Amid Mutlak Butlan Turmoil

Following the CHP leadership’s decision to impose a “mutlak butlan” and reinstate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as party chair, a faction led by Özgür Özel has intensified calls for a breakaway party. Özel’s close allies say the new formation will not follow a traditional left‑wing line but will adopt a “Türkiye İttifakı” stance and aim for a 50 % + 1 vote to win the presidency.

The faction has gathered signatures from delegates across 74 provinces, claiming more than 1,000 valid signatures, and is preparing legal challenges to force an extraordinary congress. Parallel to these moves, several CHP mayors and officials have resigned and joined the AK Party, citing the party’s internal crisis. Former CHP member Cemil Tugay announced he will return to the CHP only after the butlan ends and will join Özel’s prospective party.

CHP members such as MP Gökçe Gökçen have publicly criticised the butlan as a tactic to keep the opposition formally alive while stripping it of real power. Özel has also held Zoom meetings with municipal leaders, emphasizing that he does not want them to become “targets” of the new party initiative. The dispute holds implications for Turkey’s opposition unity ahead of upcoming elections.