Ozgur Ozel launches new party after CHP ouster

Ozgur Ozel, who was ousted as head of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) in May, has announced the launch of a new political party. The announcement came after Ozel’s removal, which sparked a wave of dissent within the CHP ranks. Dozens of lawmakers have publicly declared their support for the new venture, signalling a significant realignment among opposition figures who had grown disillusioned with the party’s direction.

The new party’s emergence arrives at a critical juncture as Turkey heads toward the 2027 general elections. While the coalition of Ozel’s supporters represents a sizable contingent of former CHP legislators, the extent to which they can mount a credible challenge to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) remains uncertain. Analysts note that the new party will need to consolidate its platform, build a broad base of voters, and navigate the entrenched political structures that have historically favored the incumbent. The forthcoming electoral cycle will likely determine whether Ozel’s breakaway faction can translate its internal momentum into a substantive threat to Erdogan’s hold on power.