11.07.2026 22:10
Özgür Özel has started to more frequently voice statements about leaving the CHP and establishing a new party. Most recently, Özel said, 'We will neither rush and make mistakes nor delay and turn hopes into despair. Very soon, we will either find a way to reclaim our party within it, or we will open a new path without upsetting you.'
Özgür Özel said, "We will neither rush and make mistakes nor be late and turn hopes into despair. Very soon, we will either find a way within our party to reclaim it, or we will open a new path without upsetting you."
Özgür Özel met with party members and citizens on Şehitler Boulevard in the Çukurova district of Adana. Özel walked along the boulevard with the crowd. During this time, some elderly citizens fell due to the stampede, and Özgür Özel helped them up and asked for their forgiveness. Meanwhile, Özel noticed a slipper on the ground, waved it, and looked for its owner.
ÖZGÜR ÖZEL: FROM NOW ON, WE ARE NEVER IN BUILDINGS
Later, in his remarks, Özgür Özel criticized the investigations against the CHP and the allegations against party cadres, stating that he would not step back from the struggle. Targeting CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Özel said, "From now on, we are never in buildings. We no longer have the party's resources or buses behind us. But on one side, there are those who cannot leave the buildings; on the other, those speaking to tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, with a coffeehouse table under their feet."
"WE WILL EITHER OPEN A PATH OR FIND A WAY"
Özgür Özel, who also signaled the formation of a new party, said: "I am calling from Adana; no one should be afraid. We will neither rush and make mistakes nor be late and turn hopes into despair. We promise you; very soon, we will either open a path or find a way. Very soon, we will either find a way within our party to reclaim it, or we will open a new path without upsetting you. Are you with me to walk this path?"
"OUR FRIENDS ARE ESTABLISHING THE NEW PARTY ON THE SIDE"
Meanwhile, speaking to Cumhuriyet newspaper, Özel said on the matter: "If we leave the CHP, I will be the chairman of the new party that is established; we will build a new party from scratch. We will complete its organization and ensure it meets the qualifications to enter elections. We will not transition to that party. We will keep an alternative ready, with friends who have previously served in the party but are not currently active in politics as chairman and executives, for a snap election. But this is for a disaster scenario. The other option is establishing a new party from scratch and being there. Our friends are establishing the new party on the side. Perhaps the party will be established early and gain some ground. Participation will come later. We will join the party and hold its first congress. We are not doing nothing right now. A group of friends is handling the new party formation process. As soon as we see that staying in the CHP is not possible, we will move to the established new party and proceed there.
There are already 30 founding board members. There is no distinction between a chairman and executives there. They don't need me there anyway. In fact, it's being said that there will be 'surprise names on the founding board.' My view is that there should be no surprises. We plan to handle the establishment technically. Let technically savvy lawyer friends prepare it. Then, if we go, we can join the party with hundreds of thousands of voluntary founders."
"ALLIANCE OF REPUBLIC DISCOURSE IS WORRISOME"
When asked about the risk of the CHP being pushed into a similar situation as the DSP's current status, Özel said they are closely monitoring steps that try to align with the Alliance of Republic's foreign policy approach and rhetoric with concern. Özel continued:
"They are doing everything for us to leave. Anything can happen after we leave. At least the DSP elected its own chairman. The court didn't appoint him. Imagine, Ecevit's party made an alliance with someone who insulted Ecevit throughout his life and mocked his illness, but ultimately, the DSP members elected that chairman. While the DSP-ification issue sounds terrible from the perspective of joining the Alliance of Republic, it also brings a bitter smile."
İMAMOĞLU'S REQUEST REGARDING THE PARTY NAME
Meanwhile, according to information obtained by Haberler.com Ankara Representative Şerife Güzel, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is rumored in the background to be the figure behind the new party efforts, has requested that the word 'yol' (meaning 'path' or 'way') be included in the party's name and has called for the party to be established as soon as possible.