Özel’s new party eyes 90-plus lawmakers from CHP
Around 90 lawmakers from Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) are expected to join a new movement led by ousted leader Özgür Özel following a controversial court ruling that has reinstated his predecessor.
Reports said Özel and his allies are expected to submit the party’s founding petition to the Interior Ministry early next week, with more than 90 lawmakers having already pledged support. Some suggested the number could eventually approach 100.
Özel announced the formation of the new party during his farewell address at the CHP’s weekly meeting in parliament on July 21, attended by more than 80 MPs.
The split follows a court decision that annulled the CHP’s 38th ordinary convention held in November 2023 and restored former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Efforts by Özel’s camp to force an extraordinary vote after the ruling failed.
