Turkey: Seven Detained Mayors Join Özgür Özel’s New Opposition Party

21:30

Seven detained mayors in Turkey have announced their decision to join the newly established Yeni Parti, marking a significant political development as the country's opposition seeks to strengthen its position ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.

The announcement was made during the party's founding congress on Saturday, November 14, where Özgür Özel, the party's founder and prospective leader, presented a joint statement signed by the seven municipal officials. Six of them are mayors of districts in Istanbul.

In their message, the mayors argued that their continued detention was connected to their refusal to relinquish the municipal mandates entrusted to them by voters in the 2024 local elections. They described their situation as part of a broader struggle over democratic representation and citizens' right to determine their political future.

The seven officials said they had decided to continue their political engagement within Yeni Parti, placing their decision within what they consider a wider defence of popular sovereignty and democratic principles.

A New Chapter in Turkey's Opposition Landscape

The development comes amid considerable changes within Turkey's opposition movement. Özgür Özel, who previously led the Republican People's Party (CHP), was removed from the party's leadership following a judicial decision in May 2026 that overturned the congress through which he had secured his position.

In July, he launched Yeni Parti, attracting 91 parliamentarians and positioning the new formation as the country's leading opposition force.

The party currently holds 90 parliamentary seats, while President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has 280. The CHP, historically one of Turkey's most influential political organizations, retains 44 seats.

The arrival of the seven detained mayors provides the new party with an important political symbol, particularly as it seeks to consolidate support among voters concerned about the future of local democracy.

Detentions and Political Tensions

The mayors' decision also highlights the continuing tensions surrounding opposition-controlled municipalities. Following the opposition's strong performance in the March 2024 local elections, numerous municipal officials became targets of investigations and judicial proceedings.

Among those detained was Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, widely regarded as one of Erdoğan's most prominent political challengers. His detention, alongside investigations involving other opposition officials, has intensified political divisions across the country.

Opposition figures have repeatedly questioned the political motivations behind these proceedings, while the authorities maintain that judicial investigations are conducted within the framework of the law.

Meanwhile, defections have further complicated the political landscape, with at least 18 mayors reportedly switching political allegiance. One of the most notable cases involved Cemil Tugay, mayor of Izmir, whose move towards the governing camp triggered demonstrations in the western Turkish city.

Yeni Parti Looks Towards 2028

During the congress, Özgür Özel outlined an agenda focused on institutional reform, judicial independence, press freedom, economic policy and housing. He also called on supporters to maintain their confidence in the possibility of political change.

The party's strategy appears increasingly centred on the next presidential contest, with Erdoğan reportedly considering an early election in April 2028. Such a timetable could allow him to seek another term under the constitutional provisions governing presidential re-election.

By welcoming seven detained mayors, Yeni Parti is seeking to turn a series of local political and judicial disputes into a broader national debate about democratic representation, institutional independence and electoral legitimacy.

The coming months will test whether the new formation can transform this political momentum into lasting electoral support and emerge as a credible challenger to Erdoğan's governing alliance.