264 Former MPs Quit CHP in Mass Defection to New Party
More than 260 former lawmakers have resigned from Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) in a coordinated move to support a newly formed political party, deepening a split that has already seen 91 sitting MPs join the new formation.
The mass resignation, announced in a joint statement by the former members of parliament, follows the departure of CHP leader Özgür Özel, who resigned from his position to establish the “YENİ” (New) Party [205435][204152]. The former lawmakers expressed strong confidence in the new party’s leadership, saying they believe the movement will “ignite a new torch of hope” across Turkey and build “an unshakable will to power” [205435].
The new party officially submitted its founding documents to the Interior Ministry on Monday, with party spokesperson Murat Emir confirming it will begin its political journey with 91 members of parliament [204144]. The party announced its 91 founding members on Tuesday, with founding board member Mahmut Tanal stating, “This is not a second CHP. It is a party that will embrace everyone who stands for rights and justice” [204146].
The defections began when Murat Bakan, a CHP lawmaker from Izmir, resigned on Tuesday in what was widely seen as the first step of a coordinated transition [201876]. Özel had previously told the party’s parliamentary group that he and other lawmakers had taken the “first step” toward forming a new political formation [201876].
The formation of YENİ Parti has sparked immediate controversy. Former opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu accused the ruling AKP of engineering the new party to split the opposition vote, claiming “The AKP has created a new ruling party” [204146]. Political analysts note the timing is critical as Turkey prepares for upcoming local elections, with the new party’s formation potentially fragmenting the opposition bloc [204146].
Özel has set an ambitious goal for his new party, telling supporters that their target is winning more than half the vote in future elections [205415]. He dismissed claims that his party would be weakened, stating, “They said they would reduce us to 40 seats, but we formed our group with 91 friends” [205415].