# Turkish political tensions involving Özgür Özel

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-political-tensions-involving-zgr-zel
> Updated: 2026-09-09T20:19:15.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Internal friction within the Republican People's Party (CHP) emerged following remarks by Party Leader Özgür Özel regarding former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. CHP Deputy Secretary General Özdemir criticized Özel for a lack of political courtesy and respect for the party’s history, questioning the leadership’s priorities.

In a subsequent development, Özgür Özel, now identified as the leader of the Yeni Parti, stated that cooperation with the CHP for a presidential candidate is “absolutely not possible.” Özel claimed the CHP no longer represents its original values and asserted that the Yeni Parti intends to discuss presidential candidacy only with legitimate opposition groups.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Özgür Özel rejects cooperation with CHP for presidential candidate

Yeni Parti leader Özgür Özel stated that cooperation with the CHP regarding a presidential candidate is “absolutely not possible” and affirmed his party's path toward power.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zgr-zel-rejects-cooperation-with-chp-for-presidential-candidate

### 2026-09-02: CHP official criticizes Özgür Özel over remarks about Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu

CHP Deputy Secretary General Veli Özdemir has criticized Party Leader Özgür Özel for disparaging former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, calling for political courtesy and party loyalty.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chp-official-criticizes-zgr-zel-over-remarks-about-kemal-kldarolu

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Cite as: Turkish political tensions involving Özgür Özel. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-political-tensions-involving-zgr-zel