Turkey’s main opposition party chooses new leader in wake of election defeat
In the aftermath of a disappointing election defeat to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), gathered on Saturday to decide on its leadership amidst internal divisions.
The party faced the crucial choice of either sticking with their embattled leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, or embracing an untested former pharmacist, Ozgur Ozel.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu had faced intense criticism for what many considered a missed opportunity to challenge Erdogan’s two-decade-long rule, particularly during a time of economic turmoil. The May election coincided with a severe cost-of-living crisis, which some analysts attributed to Erdogan’s unorthodox economic policies. Kilicdaroglu had managed to build a diverse alliance, including right-wing nationalists, left-wing socialists, and Kurds, but this alliance experienced internal strains and underperformed in the polls.
Meanwhile, Erdogan solidified his parliamentary control with support from Islamic and ultranationalist groups. Kilicdaroglu’s refusal to fully concede defeat added to the discord within the opposition.
Ozgur Ozel, a 49-year-old former pharmacist with a career in Turkey’s pharmacy association and parliament, emerged as a challenger, backed by Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Ozel presented himself as a candidate for change, and the leadership contest appeared to revolve more around personalities than specific policies.
Kilicdaroglu framed the challenge to his leadership as a “stab in the back,” while Ozel aimed to “write a new story and reshape Turkish politics.”
The outcome of the voting by over 1,000 party delegates was anticipated to be disclosed later on Saturday. In the broader political landscape, attention was shifting toward the upcoming March municipal elections, where Erdogan’s ruling party hoped to regain ground after the May election setback.
Erdogan, who had never lost a national election until the 2019 local elections, is focused on reclaiming control of key cities, particularly Istanbul. Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, once celebrated by the opposition, now faces potential political exclusion due to legal challenges. Ozel’s support was expected to come primarily from larger cities like Istanbul, setting the stage for a potentially pivotal leadership transition in the opposition party.
