Turkey’s opposition crisis deepens as ousted leader’s allies resign from party assembly

Thursday 11 June 2026 - 09:30

Turkey’s main opposition party is facing renewed internal turmoil after members aligned with ousted leader Özgür Özel resigned from the party’s governing assembly, escalating a leadership crisis within the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

According to statements from Özel’s office, a total of 28 members out of the 57-seat party assembly stepped down, a move they argue effectively dissolves the current leadership structure and legally requires the party to hold an extraordinary congress within 45 days to elect a new chairman.

The resignations come amid growing tensions within the CHP following court-related interventions in its internal governance. The party’s court-appointed chairman had recently requested the expulsion of several assembly members considered loyal to Özel, further intensifying divisions inside the opposition group.

Observers note that the situation highlights deep fractures within Turkey’s largest opposition party at a politically sensitive time. Internal disputes over leadership and direction have repeatedly weakened opposition unity in recent years, limiting its ability to present a consolidated challenge to the ruling political establishment.

The CHP, founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, has long been a central force in Turkish politics and is traditionally seen as the main secular opposition to the government. However, internal rivalries and legal disputes have increasingly shaped its recent trajectory.

Political analysts say that if an extraordinary congress is triggered, it could lead to a significant reshaping of the party’s leadership and strategy. The outcome may influence the broader balance of opposition politics in Turkey, particularly ahead of future national electoral cycles.

The current crisis underscores ongoing challenges facing opposition parties in Turkey, where internal cohesion, legal pressures, and leadership disputes continue to play a decisive role in political dynamics.