Türkiye's political landscape is undergoing a major realignment after former Republican People's Party (CHP) chairman Özgür Özel announced plans to establish a new political party, formalizing a split within the country's main opposition following months of internal turmoil triggered by the controversial "absolute nullity" court ruling.

Özel, who recently resigned from the CHP alongside dozens of lawmakers loyal to him, is expected to submit the founding petition for the new political movement to the Ministry of Interior in the coming days. The party is widely expected to compete as Türkiye's new main opposition force in parliament if a sufficient number of MPs formally join the new formation.

According to reports, approximately 90 CHP deputies are expected to align themselves with Özel's movement, comfortably surpassing the minimum threshold required for the new party to replace the CHP as the largest opposition bloc in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The proposed name "Yeni Parti" (New Party) remains the leading option, although alternative names, including "Değişim Partisi" (Change Party), have reportedly been prepared should legal complications arise.

The split follows months of political uncertainty after a court annulled the CHP's 2023 congress under the doctrine of "absolute nullity," reinstating former chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The ruling sparked fierce debate within the opposition and prompted accusations from Özel's supporters that the judicial process had undermined the party's elected leadership.

Speaking during his final parliamentary group meeting under the CHP banner, Özel described the new party as a "new beginning" and argued that the opposition needed a fresh political platform after exhausting efforts to resolve the leadership dispute within the CHP. He said the new movement aims to unite democratic forces and challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government ahead of the next national elections.

The decision has drawn mixed reactions from within the CHP. Party spokesperson Müslim Sarı criticized the move, arguing that political struggle should continue within the CHP rather than through the creation of a separate organization.

Former CHP chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu had also urged Özel to remain within the party, saying there was no need for him to leave and insisting that disagreements should be resolved through internal democratic mechanisms.

Despite the divisions, Özel's allies say the new movement is expected to attract support from several municipal mayors and local organizations in the coming weeks. However, reports indicate that a number of CHP mayors intend to remain loyal to the existing party structure, suggesting the opposition landscape could remain divided even after the new party is formally established.

Political analysts say the emergence of a new opposition party could reshape Turkish politics ahead of the 2028 elections. While supporters argue the new movement may revitalize the opposition by building on the momentum generated in the 2024 local elections, others warn that the split risks fragmenting anti-government votes and weakening the opposition's ability to challenge the ruling alliance. (ILKHA)