Jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu Resigns from CHP to Join Newly Formed Opposition Party

 

Jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu Resigns from CHP to Join Newly Formed Opposition Party

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the jailed Mayor of Istanbul and prominent Turkish opposition figure, announced his resignation from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) after 17 years of membership to join the newly formed "New Party." The political reorganization follows a contentious court ruling that removed the previous CHP leadership and reinstated former chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

The New Party, established by Özgür Özel alongside 90 breakaway lawmakers, has become the second-largest party in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. İmamoğlu, who was detained in March 2025 and remains in pre-trial detention facing municipal corruption charges he denies, stated via social media that the decision reflects his responsibility toward building an alternative democratic path in Turkish politics.

• Sources & Direct Links:

  • Reuters / Internazionale: Jailed Istanbul mayor Imamoglu joins new opposition party amid political turmoil

  • Asharq Al-Awsat: Jailed Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu Joins New Opposition Party Amid Political Turmoil

  • The Arab Weekly: Imamoglu quits CHP, joins new party in fresh challenge to Erdogan

Ekrem İmamoğlu Resigns from CHP to Back Özgür Özel’s New Political Movement

 

Ekrem İmamoğlu Resigns from CHP to Back Özgür Özel’s New Political Movement

Detained former Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has formally resigned from the Republican People's Party (CHP) after 17 years of membership. İmamoğlu publicly announced his decision to throw his political support behind the New Party, recently established by Özgür Özel, signaling a major realignment within the Turkish political landscape.

Sources:

• Türkiye Today: Ex-Istanbul mayor Imamoglu quits CHP, throws weight behind Ozel's New Party

Thousands Take to the Streets as Riot Police Storm CHP Headquarters Following Leader's Ouster

 

Thousands Take to the Streets as Riot Police Storm CHP Headquarters Following Leader's Ouster

Recent judicial and police actions against Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), have sparked widespread political unrest. Following an appeals court decision to remove the CHP leader from their post, thousands of citizens marched in both Istanbul and Ankara on Sunday in protest. The political turmoil deepened when Turkish riot police stormed the opposition's headquarters, deploying tear gas to enforce the controversial judicial decision and drive out the ousted leader.

This crackdown follows a year-long legal campaign against the CHP, which notably included the 2025 imprisonment of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul's popular mayor. Investigations targeting the opposition have been spearheaded by Gürlek, the former chief prosecutor in Istanbul.

Sources:

• BBC: Turkish riot police storm opposition offices after leaders ousted

• Business Today: Thousands Protest In Istanbul After Court Decision To Ouster Opposition Leader

• France 24: Turkey riot police use tear gas to drive ousted opposition leader from party HQ

• The Jerusalem Post: Turkey's opposition thrown into turmoil after CHP leader removed