Jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu announced Wednesday he is joining the newly formed New Party, following a court order that ousted the leadership of his former Republican People's Party (CHP) amidst a significant legal crackdown on opposition figures.
Imamoglu stated he is resigning from his 17-year membership in the CHP, citing his beliefs regarding the nation's future and his responsibility to the populace. He declared this move signifies the opening of a new path to construct a more robust, democratic, and optimistic future for Turkey, referencing the New Party's aims.
This development occurs after opposition leader Ozgur Ozel and 90 other lawmakers established the New Party last month, aiming to unify against President Tayyip Erdogan. Their efforts follow a court decision that removed Ozel as CHP chairman and reinstated the party's former leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
Imamoglu, considered President Erdogan's primary political challenger, has been imprisoned for over a year awaiting trial on corruption charges, which he vehemently denies. His election as the CHP's presidential candidate in March 2025 was followed by the annulment of his university diploma, a prerequisite for presidential candidacy, by Istanbul University.
The New Party, already the second-largest bloc in parliament, is anticipated to draw considerable support from CHP voters, presenting a refreshed challenge to President Erdogan. However, the fragmentation within the opposition could potentially strengthen Erdogan's position for his bid to extend his 23-year tenure.
Opposition parties and several human rights organizations have characterized the ongoing crackdown, which has led to the imprisonment of numerous elected CHP officials and members since 2024, as politically motivated and contrary to democratic principles. The Turkish government, conversely, maintains that the judiciary operates independently.
