Turkey opposition lawmaker resigns, changes party

Leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu speaks during his party’s group meeting at the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, Turkey on 15 June 2021. [Mustafa Murat Kaynak – Anadolu Agency]

A lawmaker from Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) stepped down today.

Speaking to reporters in parliament, Sera Kadigil Sutlu said she will join the Workers’ Party of Turkey.

“As of today, to defend the values I believe openly and loudly … I am joining a party that I see much closer to my world view – the Workers’ Party of Turkey,” she said.

Sutlu, a lawmaker from Istanbul, said the reason for her exit was “neither a fight nor an argument.”

“I am facing a pure ideological separation,” she added.

The CHP holds 135 out of 600 seats in parliament while the Workers’ Party of Turkey has four seats.

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