Political civil war threatens the Turkish opposition as internal party turmoil dominates the political agenda in Turkey. The confrontation between the elected president of the Republican People’s Party, Özgür Özel, and former president Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is taking on increasingly larger dimensions. The battle for control of Turkey’s largest opposition party is evolving into one of the most serious internal crises in recent years, with mutual attacks, allegations of political interference, and warnings of member expulsions. The atmosphere prevailing in the party was reflected in the parallel appearances of the two men, which confirmed the depth of the rift that has been created within the CHP.
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Turkey: The ‘Solomonic solution’ and the dual image in the party
The crisis regarding who would chair the parliamentary group meeting of the main opposition ended with a compromise solution. Özgür Özel took the podium of the parliamentary group, while Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu chose to address the party’s Central Committee.
This image highlighted the magnitude of the intra-party confrontation, as the two sides appear to be following different strategies for the party’s future. Özel attempted to move the discussion beyond the narrow limits of internal party confrontation, arguing that the party faces a coordinated effort to weaken it.
“We are under attack from four directions. We went from 25% to 38% and became the first party after 47 years, and since then we have been under constant pressure.” The elected CHP president argued that the pressures concern not only the party but the Turkish opposition as a whole. At the same time, he spoke of exploiting political and judicial mechanisms aimed at weakening President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s political opponents. He made particular reference to judicial cases involving opposition mayors and officials, with the most characteristic case being that of Ekrem İmamoğlu. “They call us ‘thieves,’ even though the charges are collapsing. The targeting continues.”
Özgür Özel:
“Mesele, CHP’yi kurumsal kimliğiyle, lideriyle, bütün güçlü kaslarıyla birlikte ortadan kaldırmaya çalışan, Erdoğan’ı rakipsizleştirme meselesinden başka bir mesele değil”https://t.co/xSafmeFb0o pic.twitter.com/jLgazMrefP
— Veryansıntv.com (@veryansintvcom) June 9, 2026
Turkey: Kılıçdaroğlu’s warnings and the ‘purges’
On the other side, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu appeared determined to continue the confrontation, arguing that the party must proceed with deep changes in order to restore its credibility and morality. “We will purify ourselves and practice clean politics. This party founded the state and is not an ordinary party.” The former CHP president brought back to the forefront allegations of bribing delegates and internal party practices that, as he argues, damaged the party’s prestige. “No will can be bought with money.” At the same time, he made it clear that he intends to seek accountability for the crisis that has erupted. “No will can be bought with money,” he said, adding that he will hold accountable those involved, otherwise “they will not consider him a man.”
Kılıçdaroğlu also responded to criticism he receives from his political opponents and party officials, who accuse him of operating in a way that serves the government. “You don’t negotiate with the palace, you fight it.” The former CHP leader also launched an attack on media outlets, which he accused of manipulating public opinion and providing biased coverage of developments.
Concluding his statement, he announced the holding of a new congress without giving a specific timeline, emphasizing that his goal is a “moral and virtuous” congress, away from behind-the-scenes agreements and internal party deals. Developments in the CHP are being watched with particular interest by Turkey’s political system, as the outcome of the internal party crisis may affect the overall role and dynamics of the opposition against Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the coming months.
