Özel bids farewell to CHP, announces new beginning under new party
Özgür Özel, the leader of the main opposition, has announced his “timely but sad departure” from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) to form a new political party with a group of lawmakers, following a deep legal saga over the leadership of the party.
“Today we are bidding a sad farewell, a farewell we are forced to endure. But I also want to convey to our people that we carry within us the unwavering hope for a new beginning to come to power,” Özel said in his last address to the CHP lawmakers as the group leader on July 21.
Özel was ousted from the chairmanship of the CHP after a court reinstated former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu due alleged fraud during the party’s 2023 convention during which the latter lost against the former.
“After the completion of technical procedures and consultations with our lawmakers as well as our executive board, we will form our new party with our lawmakers. Thus, we will become the main opposition at the Parliament,” Özel stated.
