Turkey's Özgür Özel Launches Yeni Parti After Split from CHP

Özgür Özel Yeni Parti CHP split Turkey Atatürk principles

Former CHP leader Özgür Özel announced the formation of the Yeni Parti on 24 July 2026, taking 91 CHP MPs with him. The party describes itself as a "contemporary social‑democratic" force grounded in Atatürk’s six principles, with statutes that embed gender (50 % women) and youth (25 % under‑30) quotas for candidate lists.

The party’s charter emphasizes republicanism, secularism, liberty, equality and continuous renewal, and its program calls for overturning what it terms “the black order” in Turkish politics. While many former CHP figures have joined, some, such as İzmir Mayor Cemil Tugay and former Adana mayor Zeydan Karalar, publicly declined to switch sides. Long‑time CHP member Sabri Ergül also left the party after nearly six decades, pledging support for the Yeni Parti.

The emergence of a new parliamentary group challenges the CHP’s dominance on the Turkish opposition landscape and could reshape alliances ahead of future elections.