In a major upheaval within Türkiye’s political scene, 91 lawmakers have broken away from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) to form a new political entity known as the New Party (Yeni Parti). This significant split, spearheaded by former CHP leader Özgür Özel, marks the largest division in the party’s modern history and dramatically alters the power dynamics within the Turkish Parliament. With these lawmakers defecting, the New Party emerges as the largest opposition faction, while the CHP’s representation in parliament plummets from 135 seats to just 44, losing its status as the main opposition party.
On Friday, Özel took the official step of launching the New Party by signing its foundational documents and submitting them to the Interior Ministry for registration. The 91 departing CHP lawmakers have also become part of the party’s founding board. In a press briefing held in Ankara, Özel confirmed the completion of the party’s legal registration and announced plans to immediately work on forming its leadership structure. The founding board plans to convene at the historic Anadolu Club, a venue established under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s direction, to elect the party chairperson and other governing bodies.
Özel expressed that the New Party would actively participate in the forthcoming parliamentary budget discussions as the main opposition “for the first and last time,” emphasizing his belief that the movement will eventually steer Türkiye towards economic prosperity and political stability. This reshuffle in the parliament is anticipated to alter seating arrangements in the General Assembly and increase the number of parliamentary groups from six to seven.
The split within the CHP comes after months of internal discord, exacerbated by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s return to party leadership following a court ruling against the previous party congress. CHP spokesperson Müslim Sarı questioned the rationale behind forming a new party, pointing out that Özel had committed to the same political ideals as the CHP. Sarı argued, “If you are going down the same path, why do you need a new party?” suggesting that the move could be more about political maneuvering than substantive policy differences.
The establishment of the New Party is expected to significantly reshape opposition politics in Türkiye, potentially influencing future legislative debates and elections. As the political landscape adjusts to these changes, the New Party aims to position itself as a formidable force in the pursuit of governmental leadership and reform.