Turkey's main opposition, the Republican People’s party (CHP), has officially split with the formation of the New (Yeni) party. Last Friday, Özgür Özel and 90 CHP deputies resigned from their party to declare the founding of the New party.
This development follows a controversial incident in May, when police in Ankara stormed the CHP headquarters. Officers reportedly used teargas to enforce an appeal court decision that reinstated Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the 77-year-old former leader of the CHP. Members loyal to Özel attempted to block entry but were physically removed from the premises.
The CHP, which had been Turkey’s main opposition since 2002, is now reduced to 44 legislators in the 600-seat parliament. The New party now has 91 legislators. The CHP was founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
In March 2024, the CHP became Turkey’s most popular political party, winning 37.8% of the vote in nationwide local elections under Özel’s leadership, surpassing the ruling Justice and Development party (AKP).