Türkiye's biggest opposition party leader resigns to found new party

ANKARA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Ozgur Ozel, leader of Türkiye's biggest opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), resigned on Friday to launch a new political party alongside 90 lawmakers, marking a major shift in the country's opposition landscape, Türkiye's Hurriyet newspaper reported.

Ozgur Ozel (C) marches to the parliament building in Ankara, Türkiye, July 24, 2026. Ozgur Ozel, leader of Türkiye's biggest opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), resigned on Friday to launch a new political party alongside 90 lawmakers, marking a major shift in the country's opposition landscape, Türkiye's Hurriyet newspaper reported. (Photo: Xinhua)

The founding application for the new political movement, YENI Parti (New Party), was expected to be submitted to the Interior Ministry later on Friday, Hurriyet reported.

The 91 lawmakers submitted their resignations from the CHP through Türkiye's e-Government system, with the departures to take effect once legal procedures are finalized, according to Hurriyet.

The move is expected to reduce the CHP's parliamentary representation to 44 seats, stripping it of its status as the main opposition party and making the new YENI Parti the second-largest parliamentary group, the report said.

The political reshuffle will also affect the distribution of seats on parliamentary committees and force a restructuring of the CHP's parliamentary leadership.

Elected CHP chairman in November 2023, Ozel led the party to a strong performance in the March 2024 local elections, cementing its position as Türkiye's main opposition.

However, a court ruling invalidating the CHP's 2023 congress led to Ozel's removal as party chairman, triggering divisions within the party and prompting him to form a new party.

Ozgur Ozel (2nd L, front) marches to the parliament building in Ankara, Türkiye, July 24, 2026. Ozgur Ozel, leader of Türkiye's biggest opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), resigned on Friday to launch a new political party alongside 90 lawmakers, marking a major shift in the country's opposition landscape, Türkiye's Hurriyet newspaper reported. (Photo: Xinhua)