Key facts
- 91 Turkish lawmakers have applied to form a new political party.
- The move follows a court ruling that invalidated the CHP's 2023 congress.
- The new party aims to challenge President Tayyip Erdogan.
- The split reduces the CHP's parliamentary representation from 135 to 44 lawmakers.
- The new party is expected to become the second-largest in parliament.
Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel and 91 breakaway lawmakers have applied to the interior ministry to launch a new political party. This move aims to regroup the opposition and challenge President Tayyip Erdogan after their former party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), faced a significant legal crackdown. A recent court ruling annulled the CHP's 2023 congress and re-appointed Kemal Kilicdaroglu as its chairman, stripping Ozel of his leadership title.
The newly formed party is expected to become the second-largest in parliament, with 91 seats, trailing only Erdogan's ruling AK Party which holds 277 seats. The CHP's representation in parliament has been reduced from 135 lawmakers to 44, with some of Ozel's supporters and Kilicdaroglu loyalists remaining.
While the New Party is anticipated to draw most CHP voters and present a fresh challenge to Erdogan, the broader fragmentation of the opposition could potentially strengthen the president's position, extending his 23-year tenure in the NATO-member country. Ankara MP Murat Emir described the move as a significant milestone, stating they were leaving an 'occupied party' behind.
Critics and rights groups have labeled the crackdown on CHP officials and members as politically motivated and undemocratic, though the government maintains the judiciary's independence.