CHP leader: Appointed officials cannot create a parallel party

The head of Turkey's main opposition party has strongly criticized a former leader's attempt to expel nine lawmakers. Özgür Özel, the current chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), responded to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's move to use central authority powers to expel the deputies. Özel called the effort a "coup attempt" that will be stopped. "This coup will be repelled," Özel said. "The CHP will be governed by elected officials, not appointed ones." The dispute highlights a growing power struggle within the party between its current and former leadership.