New Party leader Özel rejects any coalition with CHP’s Kılıçdaroğlu

Özgür Özel, founder and chair of Turkey’s New Party (YP), told Koza TV that his party will not ally with the Republican People’s Party (CHP) while Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu leads it, labeling the current administration “illegitimate.” He rejected Kılıçdaroğlu’s earlier comments about a possible coalition and warned that any partnership would legitimize what he calls an “appointed apparatus of the government.” Özel, whose chairmanship was voided by a court over alleged bribery involving his associates, described the verdict as politically motivated. Although he shook hands with Kılıçdaroğlu at a September 2 event, he said the gesture was spontaneous and that he has refused offers from the CHP, including a parliamentary group chairmanship. Özel remains open to supporting other opposition parties that meet his criteria of legitimacy and indicated willingness to back former Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu if eligible.