Turkish opposition forms new party

 

TT-AFP

 

Published 16:31

 

Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel during his speech on Tuesday. Photo: Yavuz Ozden/DIA/AP/TT

Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel is to form a new party in the hope of being able to exchange opposition for power.

Özel was removed in May as leader of the main opposition party CHP, and says in his farewell speech that Turkey is facing a “historic choice” and that his party comrades should follow him to the new party, which is believed to be called Yeni Parti (New Party).

“We come with a never-ending hope for a new beginning,” he told the CHP parliamentary group.

According to Turkish political analysts, at least 83 of the 135 CHP parliamentarians are believed to be joining the new party.

Özel lost power within the CHP after a court decision that is considered politically motivated. Hundreds of CHP politicians have been arrested in recent years, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, on charges of corruption and other charges. According to AFP, 27 mayors are currently in prison.

 

Den turkiske oppositionsledaren Özgür Özel ska bilda ett nytt parti i hopp om att kunna byta opposition mot makt.

Özel avlägsnades i maj som ledare för det stora oppositionspartiet CHP, och säger i sitt avskedstal att Turkiet står inför ett ”historiskt vägval” och att hans partikamrater bör följa honom till det nya partiet, som tros få namnet Yeni Parti (Nya partiet).

– Vi kommer med ett aldrig sinande hopp om en ny början, sade han till CHP:s parlamentsgrupp.

Enligt turkiska politiska bedömare tros minst 83 av 135 CHP:s parlamentariker följa med till det nya partiet.

Özel förlorade makten inom CHP efter ett domstolsbeslut som anses vara politiskt motiverat. Hundratals CHP-politiker har gripits de senaste åren, bland dem Istanbuls borgmästare Ekrem Imamoglu, anklagade för bland annat korruption. Just nu sitter enligt AFP 27 borgmästare fängslade.