site.btaResignations Mount in Turkiye's Main Opposition CHP as Leadership Crisis Deepens

A growing leadership crisis within Turkiye's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has triggered a wave of resignations by mayors, municipal councillors and lawmakers, further deepening divisions within the party following a controversial court ruling that effectively split it into rival factions.

The turmoil began after the Ankara Court of Appeal annulled the CHP's 38th party congress, held in 2023, and reinstated the party leadership of former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu, removing the current leadership headed by Ozgur Ozel. The ruling divided the party between supporters of Ozel and Kilicdaroglu and sparked a struggle over control of the opposition movement.

While the Kilicdaroglu faction has refused to step down despite what observers describe as limited support within the party, Ozel's allies have been seeking to force a new congress through petitions, collective resignations and other measures aimed at resolving the leadership dispute.

The internal conflict comes as the CHP continues to face pressure from a broad anti-corruption campaign by Turkish authorities. Since 2024, dozens of CHP mayors and municipal officials have been detained as part of investigations primarily targeting municipalities governed by the opposition party. Among those affected are suspended Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Usak Mayor Ozkan Yalim, Bursa Mayor Mustafa Bozbey and Adalar district Mayor Ali Erkan Akpolat.

Against this backdrop, several high-profile party members have resigned in recent days. On June 18, Turkish daily Daily Sabah reported that Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay, the city's deputy mayor and several municipal councillors had left the CHP. Tugay later told Turkish media that his decision was linked to the fallout from the May 21 court ruling and a series of disciplinary measures and dismissals within the party structure.

A day later, Bolu Mayor Tanju Ozcan also announced his resignation, according to Turkish newspaper BirGun. In a statement, Ozcan described the Kilicdaroglu faction as a "junta sent to destroy the opposition party" and cited the court ruling as the main reason for his departure.

The crisis has also spread to parliament. CHP lawmakers Nimet Ozdemir and Umit Dikbayir have both announced their resignations from the party. Ozdemir revealed her decision on June 18 without providing a detailed explanation, prompting speculation in sections of the Turkish media that she could eventually join the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Dikbayir announced his resignation on Monday. In a statement carried by state broadcaster TRT Haber, he criticized what he described as growing polarization, political purges and internal power struggles within the CHP. "My objection is not to the CHP itself, but to those who use the legacy of the Republic of Turkiye as a tool to preserve their own political existence," he said.

As the standoff continues, Turkish media have increasingly speculated that supporters of Ozel could establish a new political party if efforts to regain control of the CHP fail. Polling agencies have already begun publishing surveys examining the potential impact such a move could have on Turkiye's political landscape.