Former CHP Chair Ozgur Ozel Launches New Party, Splits Opposition

Former CHP chairman Özgür Özel and a cohort of parliamentarians announced the creation of the New Party (Yeni Parti) on Tuesday, marking the latest fragmentation of Turkey’s opposition and introducing a new contender for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AK P). The founding members, who include five sitting MPs previously elected under the CHP banner, cited a desire to offer a centrist alternative that transcends the traditional left‑right divide and addresses what they describe as “political stagnation” within the main opposition.

The New Party’s platform emphasizes democratic renewal, economic liberalisation and a more pragmatic foreign‑policy stance, positioning itself as a bridge between Erdoğan’s AK P and the secular CHP. Analysts note that the party’s emergence could dilute the opposition vote ahead of the 2027 general election, while Erdoğan’s camp has dismissed the initiative as a “temporary gimmick.” Observers will watch how the New Party’s appeal to disaffected voters influences coalition dynamics and whether it can secure parliamentary representation in the upcoming local elections.