After Tear Gas and Legal Battles, Turkey Gets a New Opposition Party: Can It Defeat Erdogan?

Turkey's political landscape has a new opposition force following a tumultuous period marked by legal disputes and the use of tear gas within the headquarters of the Republican People's Party (CHP). Ozgur Ozel, along with 90 former CHP lawmakers, has established the New (Yeni) Party, aiming to challenge the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The split occurred after a controversial court decision reinstated Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the 77-year-old former leader of CHP, to the party's helm. Members supporting Ozel attempted to block police entry into the CHP building, but were forcibly removed. The Guardian described the event as a "spectacular act with historical consequences."

This departure significantly diminishes the CHP's parliamentary presence. Once Turkey's primary opposition party since 2002, it now holds only 44 seats in the 600-member parliament, making it the third-smallest of seven parties. The newly formed New Party, with its 91 lawmakers, is positioned to become the leading opposition.

Historically, political figures who have faced legal adversity in Turkey have sometimes seen their popularity rise. The article draws a parallel to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who spent time in prison before becoming prime minister. The founders of the New Party hope that this split and the circumstances surrounding it will galvanize support.

The CHP itself, founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1923, played a pivotal role in establishing modern Turkey. Its recent struggles come after a period of success, having been the most popular political party in Turkey during the March 2024 local elections. Ozel's leadership at that time contributed to the CHP's victory over Erdogan's AKP, a significant moment that could have implications for the upcoming 2028 presidential elections.