Another divide looms in Türkiye’s fractured Republican People’s Party (CHP), as internal tensions resurface amid ongoing political realignments. The party, which once held the mantle of main opposition, faces renewed challenges following the departure of former leader Özgür Özel, who established the New Party (YP). Reports indicate that a faction of lawmakers is preparing to contest the leadership of current CHP chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in upcoming intra-party elections, potentially undermining Kılıçdaroğlu’s efforts to consolidate power and distance the party from past controversies linked to corruption allegations. Kılıçdaroğlu regained his position as party leader in May after a court ruled that Özel’s previous tenure was invalid due to accusations of vote-buying in the 2023 leadership election. Özel, prior to leaving, urged Kılıçdaroğlu to hold another party congress, expressing confidence in his ability to secure victory in the next leadership race. The CHP had previously announced plans to prepare for such a congress starting in September, and according to media reports, Kılıçdaroğlu’s potential rivals are already mobilizing behind the scenes. Among these figures is Gürsel Erol, a member of parliament representing Elazığ province, who withdrew from the race for the role of CHP parliamentary group chair after initially winning the first two rounds. Following the election, Erol criticized the party, stating there was a “monopoly” within its structure without explicitly naming individuals. Similarly, Ali Öztunç, a representative from Kahramanmaraş province, expressed views in an interview with a pro-CHP YouTube channel, asserting that the party should not be considered “anyone’s property.” Öztunç and Erol, both aligned with Kılıçdaroğlu’s leadership, have indicated their intent to push for a party congress to rejuvenate the CHP. According to reports, they aim to convince Kılıçdaroğlu against seeking re-election as party chair. The BBC’s Turkish service noted that approximately 15 of the CHP’s 44 lawmakers, self-described as advocates of a “third way,” plan to issue a collective statement soon. These lawmakers neither endorse Kılıçdaroğlu’s leadership nor intend to align with the YP. They warned that if their demands are not met, they might either resign from the CHP or join the YP. Kılıçdaroğlu has thus far avoided making definitive statements regarding his participation in the next leadership race, indicating he would “consider running” if nominated by fellow party members. This ambiguity leaves room for speculation about the direction of the CHP ahead of any potential leadership contest. Meanwhile, the CHP is focused on maintaining its existing network of mayors, while the YP seeks to expand its influence. Despite securing a majority of CHP legislators, Özel has struggled to attract mayors away from the CHP. Some mayors remain undecided, while others have quickly pledged allegiance to Özel. The YP asserts that at least 200 mayors are prepared to join the party, yet only 157 have officially done so in the two weeks since its inception. Most of these are from smaller municipalities, with notable exceptions including the mayors of Denizli and Manisa, the latter being Özel’s hometown. Cemil Tugay, the mayor of İzmir, left the CHP after Kılıçdaroğlu’s reinstatement but has since remained independent. There are indications that he may eventually align with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). In response, the CHP is set to host a meeting with its mayors to reinforce unity within the party. On the other hand, Özel is actively trying to widen his appeal beyond traditional CHP supporters. Recently, a video surfaced online depicting Özel performing the Muslim ablution ritual, which the YP claimed was captured by one of its fans. Subsequently, Özel participated in an event with members of the Alevi community, attending a groundbreaking ceremony for a new cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Ankara. During the event, Özel stated he was present to seek blessings from the Alevi community, acknowledging their historical contributions to the nation. Kılıçdaroğlu, who identifies as Alevi, emphasized his religious background during the 2023 presidential election campaign, a decision that drew criticism from some observers who questioned its sincerity. As both leaders navigate their respective strategies, the political landscape continues to evolve, reflecting deeper divisions within Türkiye’s opposition forces.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
TR
