Ozgur Ozel, the ousted leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), announced on Wednesday that preparations are underway for the potential establishment of a new political party. However, any concrete steps will be delayed until ongoing legal proceedings are resolved.
A Turkish court recently annulled the CHP's 2023 congress, which had elected Ozel as chairman, and reinstated Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the party's former leader who lost to President Tayyip Erdogan in the 2023 presidential election.
Ozel indicated that the legal proceedings, which include an appeal against the ruling that ousted him and a request for an extraordinary party congress, could conclude within two weeks. If these efforts are blocked, the formation of a new party could proceed.
"A formal step could be taken towards the end of July or the beginning of August," Ozel stated in an interview with Sozcu TV, when questioned about the timeline for establishing a new party.
Critics have described the court's decision as politically motivated, occurring amidst a significant legal crackdown on the CHP. This development has unsettled financial markets and fueled concerns regarding democracy and the rule of law in Turkey, though the government maintains the judiciary's independence.
The internal crisis within the opposition could potentially benefit President Erdogan, who has been in power for over two decades. Analysts suggest that the government might call an early election to capitalize on the CHP's strife, although the next election is currently scheduled for 2028.
