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The Levant Files Confirmed: Özgür Özel Shifts Toward a "Turkey Alliance" as CHP Crisis Deepens

The ongoing political turmoil within the Republican People’s Party (CHP) has reached a critical juncture, with new developments finally confirming the intelligence previously released by The Levant Files. Reporting for the Turkish media outlet Nefes, journalist Tarık Işık has validated that the team surrounding the recently removed CHP leader, Özgür Özel, is actively laying the groundwork for a new political movement—a maneuver long anticipated by observers tracking the internal collapse of the party.

The shift follows the court-ordered removal of Özgür Özel and the subsequent reinstatement of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as CHP chairman—a decision that has effectively gridlocked the opposition. As legal channels to retain his position within the CHP become increasingly constrained, Özel’s inner circle is finalizing contingency plans, signaling that the formation of an alternative entity is no longer just a rumor, but a strategic reality.

Beyond the "Leftist" Label

A significant detail emerging from Işık’s reporting is the intended political positioning of this new group. Confirming the underlying analysis of The Levant Files, the new structure is designed to move beyond traditional ideological boundaries. Contrary to speculation that the party would be a purely leftist movement, Özel’s team intends to define the group as a "Turkey Alliance" (Türkiye İttifakı).

"The goal is not a 'left party,' but a movement that positions itself on the 'Turkey Alliance' line, aiming to embrace the entire country," the report notes. Advisors emphasized that while the party's "red lines" would remain rooted in Atatürk’s principles and Republican values, the overarching objective is to build a structure that can resonate with the broader Turkish electorate, rather than a narrow ideological base.

The Strategy for 50+1

This pivot toward a "Turkey Alliance" is intrinsically linked to the mathematical requirements of the Turkish presidential system. According to the sources cited by Işık, the movement’s primary ambition is to secure victory in the presidential election, which requires achieving an electoral threshold of 50 percent plus one vote.

One political strategist quoted in the report summarized the logic behind this transition: "Our claim is that our candidate will be Turkey’s next president. For this, they need to receive 50+1 percent of the vote. To appeal to all of Turkey, we must form the 'Turkey Alliance' without compromising our red lines."

This approach suggests a return to the broad-based coalition strategies previously tested by the CHP—such as the former Millet İttifakı (Nation Alliance)—but adapted for a new entity independent of the current internal crises plaguing the party. By operating on this dual track, Özel’s camp appears to be positioning itself to survive the party's current liquidation while actively preparing for a post-CHP future. 

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THE LEVANT FILES

Independent reporting from the Levant and beyond.