Berza Şimşek

The CHP’s century-long history has been marked by repeated splits driven by ideological disagreements, leadership contests and differing views on how rapidly Turkish society should be transformed. Early breakaways included the Progressive Republican Party and the Free Republican Party, followed by the Democratic Party’s formation in 1946 and its victory over the CHP in 1950. In the 1960s and 1970s, disputes over the party’s shift toward the left produced the Güven Party, Republican Party and Republican Trust Party. After the 1980 coup, competing center-left parties emerged before the CHP was re-established in 1992. Later departures included parties founded by Emine Ülker Tarhan, Muharrem İnce and Mustafa Sarıgül. The latest split followed a court decision that returned Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to the CHP leadership, prompting Özgür Özel and 91 lawmakers to establish the New Party. Experts say the episode reflects both the weakening of internal party democracy and enduring ideological and leadership tensions; the electoral impact of the new party remains uncertain.

Religious women express divergent reactions to the release of Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel, convicted of child sexual abuse. Some defend him or avoid criticism due to concerns about harming religious values, while others, including Muslim feminists and former community members, describe fear, pressure, and long-standing patterns of silence within religious communities. Experts link this silence to cultural norms, internalized obligations toward conservative political power, and the growing influence of religious groups over state institutions. The release, celebrated by some figures close to religious circles, is viewed by critics as a display of power that suppresses internal debate. Women interviewed emphasize shared struggles, threats faced when speaking out, and the importance of solidarity to challenge entrenched gender and authority dynamics in conservative religious environments.