Former Republican People’s Party deputy chair Murat Özçelik resigned from the centre-left opposition group on 7 July, saying the leadership is shielding controversies surrounding the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and rallying resources around a single figure instead of addressing voters’ needs. In a written statement, the retired diplomat cited deepening factionalism, personal profiteering and what he called procedural irregularities at the latest party congress. “New paths have become a necessity,” he said, adding that debate over alleged wrongdoing at the municipality led by former mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is being suppressed. Özçelik’s departure comes as corruption investigations intensify against several CHP-run cities, with İmamoğlu and other metropolitan mayors detained in recent weeks. The wave of probes has heightened pressure on party chair Özgür Özel as the CHP prepares for possible early elections.