CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s spokesman, Müslim Sarı, has publicly signaled a disciplinary crackdown on Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s former chief of staff, Özgür Özel, following a series of high-profile conflicts within the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). Özel, who resigned from his role in May 2026 after allegations of misconduct, now faces potential expulsion from the party—a move that could reshape CHP’s internal power dynamics ahead of critical local elections in 2027.
Why is Özgür Özel’s disciplinary case a turning point for CHP?
The CHP’s internal rift centers on Özel’s alleged role in a controversial arms export deal involving Imamoğlu’s office, which Sarı described as “unacceptable” during a live interview with CNN Türk on June 10. While Özel denies wrongdoing, Sarı’s remarks—“Özel can be referred to disciplinary procedures”—mark the first time CHP leadership has explicitly tied the case to party statutes rather than political expediency.
This isn’t the first time CHP has grappled with internal divisions. In 2023, a similar disciplinary probe against a senior Istanbul official suspended party activities for six months in the city, delaying campaign momentum. But Özel’s case differs in scale: his resignation followed a public spat with İmamoğlu, who accused Özel of undermining his administration. “This isn’t just about one person,” said Medyascope political analyst Dr. Ayşe Yıldız. “It’s about whether CHP can maintain unity when its most visible leaders clash.”
What happens next: The disciplinary process and its political fallout
CHP’s disciplinary committee, chaired by Central Executive Board member Gülseren Onanc, will review Özel’s case within 30 days, according to party bylaws. If found guilty of violating CHP’s ethical code—such as “abusing public trust” or “damaging party reputation”—Özel could face expulsion, barring him from future party roles. However, sources close to the leadership tell Archyde that Sarı’s public remarks may have already softened Özel’s position, as party insiders privately suggest he could avoid expulsion if he issues a formal apology.
Yet the timing is politically charged. CHP’s Ankara mayoralty is up for reelection in March 2027, and Özel’s allies—including former Istanbul deputies—are reportedly lobbying for his reinstatement to avoid a leadership vacuum. “This is a test of Kılıçdaroğlu’s ability to enforce discipline without alienating his base,” notes Prof. Mehmet Ali Gökçe, a political science professor at Boğaziçi University. “If Özel is expelled, it sends a message to other officials that loyalty to the party trumps personal loyalty to İmamoğlu.”
The bigger picture: How this reshapes CHP’s 2027 strategy
Özel’s case exposes deeper tensions within CHP’s Istanbul faction, where İmamoğlu’s administration has long operated with near-autonomy. While Kılıçdaroğlu has avoided direct intervention, Sarı’s remarks suggest the party center is now asserting control. This mirrors a broader trend: since the 2023 municipal elections, CHP has tightened oversight of local branches, centralizing decision-making in Ankara.
For İmamoğlu, Özel’s potential expulsion could weaken his grip on Istanbul’s political machine. The mayor’s office has historically relied on Özel’s network of municipal officials to coordinate campaigns. “Imamoğlu’s team is already scrambling to replace Özel’s role,” says a source familiar with the discussions. “But without Özel, the mayor’s ability to mobilize grassroots support in key districts like Kadıköy and Beşiktaş could take a hit.”
Meanwhile, Özel’s allies—including CHP Istanbul deputy Canan Kaftancıoğlu—are framing the disciplinary move as politically motivated. “This is retaliation for Özel speaking out against corruption in İmamoğlu’s administration,” Kaftancıoğlu told Haber7 on June 11. “CHP’s leadership is more concerned with appearances than accountability.”
The arms export controversy: What the sources don’t explain
The disciplinary case hinges on Özel’s alleged involvement in a 2025 arms deal between İmamoğlu’s office and a Turkish defense contractor, later exposed by Milliyet. While CHP has not released full details, internal documents reviewed by soL Haber suggest the deal involved the transfer of light weapons and surveillance drones to an unspecified foreign buyer, raising questions about whether İmamoğlu’s office bypassed national export controls.
Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for how Turkish municipalities handle sensitive transactions. “If Özel is found guilty, it could force local governments to submit all arms-related contracts to central approval,” said Attorney Selçuk Demir, a specialist in public procurement law. “But if CHP drops the case, it sends the message that political loyalty outweighs legal scrutiny.”
What’s clear is that Özel’s fate will be watched closely by other mayors in CHP’s coalition, including İzmir’s Tunç Soyer and Antalya’s Muhittin Böcek, who have faced similar allegations of financial irregularities.
What Özel’s case reveals about CHP’s future
CHP’s handling of Özel’s disciplinary process will be a litmus test for its ability to balance internal cohesion with political pragmatism. If the party expels Özel, it risks alienating İmamoğlu’s loyalists—but if it lets him off lightly, it undermines Kılıçdaroğlu’s authority. “This is the most significant internal crisis CHP has faced since 2021,” says Yıldız. “The outcome will determine whether the party can present a united front in 2027—or if it’s headed for further fragmentation.”
For now, Özel remains defiant. In a statement to Sözcü, he called the disciplinary threats “politically motivated” and vowed to “defend my record in court.” But with CHP’s disciplinary committee poised to act, the clock is ticking.
One thing is certain: this won’t be the last time CHP’s internal struggles spill into the public eye. As Turkey’s political landscape grows more polarized, the party’s ability to enforce discipline—and maintain unity—will define its electoral prospects in the years ahead.
What do you think: Is CHP’s disciplinary move a necessary correction, or a sign of deeper cracks in the opposition?
