YENİ Party Leader Özel Tells Cumhuriyet: 'We Are the Party of Those Tired of Losing'

As YENİ Parti prepares for its official congress, leader Özgür Özel has articulated the party's core principles and future direction, aiming to forge a new political path for Turkey. The party positions itself as a movement for those tired of political stagnation, seeking to build a broad coalition based on shared values rather than narrow electoral calculations.

Özel addressed the challenge of establishing a "new politics," acknowledging that a new name and organization are insufficient. He highlighted seven critical questions facing the party, beginning with its relationship to the legacy of Atatürk's Republican People's Party (CHP). While firmly embracing the CHP's historical contributions, including republicanism, secularism, democratic struggle, social democracy, and statism, Özel stressed that YENİ Parti will not be confined by past boundaries, a concept he termed "encompassing and transcending."

The party's growth strategy, or the second question, diverges from traditional methods. Instead of seeking to attract specific voter segments from other parties, YENİ Parti aims to create a "Turkey Alliance" where individuals from all backgrounds, Kurdish, conservative, nationalist, and social democrat, are not just guests but equal co-founders. This approach, Özel explained, involves defending the rights of all citizens, including the concerns of Turks and the rights of Kurds, while simultaneously safeguarding the lifestyles of both secular and religious citizens, fostering a sense of security within a shared political home.

Addressing the party's direction, Özel emphasized that inclusivity does not equate to a lack of clear principles. YENİ Parti stands for democracy, equal citizenship, and a secularism that protects all beliefs and non-beliefs, viewing secularism as a foundation for coexistence rather than division. The party also champions social justice, the rule of law, and strengthening the republic through democratization, aiming to empower citizens by clearly outlining not just their beliefs but also their concrete plans for implementation, including timelines, funding, and responsible institutions.