# Yeni Parti expands as CHP membership collapses > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chp-internal-crisis-in-turkey > Updated: 2026-09-01T20:50:00.000Z. Sources: 118. Developments: 12. Yeni Parti continues its rapid expansion, targeting party structures in all 81 provinces by August 2026. A wave of defections from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) that began in May has intensified. By early August, Deputy Chairman Yaşar Tüzün reported that 232 mayors had resigned from the CHP. This exodus was catalyzed by an Ankara Appeals Court decision that annulled the CHP’s 2023 congress and reinstated former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. As of September 1, approximately 891,078 members have resigned from the CHP since May 21. Yeni Parti reported reaching 600,000 members, including 400,000 former CHP members, with a goal of reaching 1 million by its mid-November founding congress. A July 2026 election simulation by Gündemar Araştırma suggests a massive shift, projecting Yeni Parti could secure a single-party majority with 38.58% of the vote and 308 seats, while the CHP could fall below the electoral threshold. Legal proceedings against former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu also continue. During a second hearing of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality corruption trial at Silivri Marmara Closed Prison, Yeni Parti leader Özgür Özel criticized the judicial process. Özel argued that the court’s control over the timing and length of the defense “effectively restricts the right to a fair trial.” Polling data from MetroPOLL, GÜNDEMAR, SONAR, and Ank-Ar previously indicated Yeni Parti has emerged as a leading entity, often surpassing the ruling AK Parti. The CHP High Disciplinary Board was scheduled to reconvene on September 18 regarding the status of several MPs. ## Claims - The New Party was founded last month by Özgür Özel and 90 other defecting MPs. (disputed by 6 sources) - Ozgur Ozel founded the New Party in July after leaving the CHP. (disputed by 4 sources) - Mayor Serhat Türkel and about 20 municipal councilors resigned from CHP and joined Yeni Parti. (disputed by 2 sources) - Samsun Atakum mayor Serhat Türkel and 39 CHP district leaders resigned and joined Yeni Parti. (disputed by 2 sources) - Mayor Serhat Türkel and 39 CHP council members resigned from CHP and joined Yeni Parti. (disputed by 2 sources) - Ekrem İmamoğlu resigned from the Republican People's Party (CHP) after 17 years of membership. (corroborated by 15 sources) - CHP Spokesperson Müslim Sarı described the resignation as a belated decision and stated it was not surprising. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Önder Sav resigned from the Republican People's Party (CHP). (corroborated by 8 sources) - Önder Sav resigned from the Republican People's Party (CHP) on 20 May 2026. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Ekrem İmamoğlu joined the newly formed New Party. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The Ankara 36th Regional Court of Justice issued an absolute annulment (mutlak butlan) decision on 20 May 2026 invalidating CHP’s 38th ordinary congress. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Sav claimed that CHP had moved away from its founding principles and Atatürk’s legacy. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-01: CHP sees 891,000 resignations amid YENİ Parti growth Following a legal ruling, nearly 891,000 members have resigned from the CHP. Meanwhile, the YENİ Parti reports reaching 600,000 members, including 400,000 former CHP members. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chp-sees-891000-resignations-amid-yeni-parti-growth ### 2026-08-22: CHP delays disciplinary action against MPs joining Yeni Parti The CHP has postponed disciplinary proceedings against nine MPs who joined Yeni Parti due to missing resignation documents. Meanwhile, detained Baki Aydöner has criticized Bülent Tezcan over family legal issues 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chp-delays-disciplinary-action-against-mps-joining-yeni-parti ### 2026-08-19: Turkish Parliament reallocates offices for CHP and Yeni Parti The Grand National Assembly of Turkey is reallocating offices between the CHP and the newly formed Yeni Parti following a political split among lawmakers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-parliament-reallocates-offices-for-chp-and-yeni-parti ### 2026-08-17: IBB corruption trial: Özgür Özel criticizes judicial process The IBB corruption trial involving 414 defendants, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, continues in Silivri. Yeni Parti leader Özgür Özel criticized the court for restricting defense rights and trial fairness. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yeni-parti-leaders-respond-to-political-criticism-and-attend-ibb-trial ### 2026-08-17: YENİ Parti projected to gain single-party majority in 2026 election simulation A July 2026 election simulation by Gündemar Araştırma predicts YENİ Parti could gain a single-party majority in Turkey with 308 seats, while the CHP is projected to fall below the parliamentary threshold. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yeni-parti-projected-to-gain-single-party-majority-in-2026-election-simulation ### 2026-08-14: Ekrem İmamoğlu joins newly formed Yeni Parti Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is leaving the Republican People's Party to join the newly formed Yeni Parti following a leadership split within the CHP. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ekrem-imamolu-joins-newly-formed-yeni-parti ### 2026-08-14: New Party leads Erdogan’s AKP in latest Turkish polls Turkey’s new opposition New Party, led by Ozgur Ozel, has overtaken Erdogan’s AKP in recent Metropoll polling, securing 30.3 percent support compared to the AKP’s 22.4 percent. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-new-party-leads-akp-in-recent-polls ### 2026-08-12: Ekrem İmamoğlu resigns from CHP to join New Party Jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has resigned from the CHP after 17 years to join the newly formed New Party led by Özgür Özel, amid significant political shifts in Turkey. 42 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yeni-parti-expands-presence-as-multiple-turkish-mayors-join-from-chp ### 2026-08-12: YENİ Parti leads AK Parti in multiple Turkish election polls Recent Turkish polls show the newly formed YENİ Parti, led by Özgür Özel, leading the AK Parti in popularity, while the party also reported collecting over 314 million TL in donations within 15 days. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-political-polls-show-shifts-for-ak-parti-and-new-party-scenarios ### 2026-08-05: Yeni Parti gains 232 mayors following mass resignations from CHP Hundreds of CHP mayors and local officials in Turkey are resigning to join the Yeni Parti, marking a major political shift that has left 28 provinces without CHP representation. 34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yeni-parti-establishes-argvan-district-branch-as-leader-grbilek-rebuffs-political-accusations ### 2026-07-30: Former CHP General Secretary Önder Sav Resigns Amid Court‑Ordered Party Nullification Önder Sav quit the CHP on 20 May 2026 after a court annulled the party’s congress, citing constitutional breaches and a drift from Atatürk’s principles; his exit sparked mass resignations and a shift toward the 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/former-chp-secretary-nder-sav-resigns-citing-court-annulment ### 2026-07-30: Yeni Parti Gains Wave of CHP Defections Across Turkey CHP officials across Ardahan, Yalova, Samsun and İzmir have resigned and joined Yeni Parti, which also targets three parliamentary seats and plans a 2026 congress. 39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-mayors-umut-ylmaz-and-aytekin-kaya-hold-neighborhood-meetings --- Cite as: Yeni Parti expands as CHP membership collapses. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chp-internal-crisis-in-turkey