The internal conflict within the Republican People's Party (CHP) has lingered since the court’s ruling declaring it an absolute nullity. The division within the party is expected to continue. On the one hand, following the court decision, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu officially took over the party's leadership and is trying to consolidate it. On the other hand, former Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu’s team, represented by former Chair Özgür Özel, insists on not leaving the party to Kılıçdaroğlu.
It is quite clear that upcoming developments within the CHP will have profound consequences not only for the party but for the entire political system in Türkiye. Since the early days of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government, the CHP has been serving as the main opposition party in the country. Due to voter fatigue among CHP constituents and growing distrust toward the party, the divisions within the CHP could lead to its decline from its status as the main opposition party.
Let’s not forget that the CHP had, until very recently, consolidated and motivated its voters mainly through negative partisanship. Its primary commitment to its voters has been to overthrow the Erdoğan government. Developing well-founded and concrete solutions to the country’s fundamental issues has never been its primary priority.
