Adem Somyurek quits DLP as internal power struggle erupts between opposing factions

Ex-Labor powerbroker Adem Somyurek has resigned from the Democratic Labour Party and declared he is “living a post-factional political career”.

Adem Somyurek will remain in parliament as an independent. Picture: Tony Gough

Former Andrews government minister Adem Somyurek has resigned from the Democratic Labour Party, and will remain in parliament as an independent.

Mr Somyurek resigned from the DLP this week, effective immediately, amid a factional war that has threatened the existence of the party.

Multiple DLP sources have told the Herald Sun an internal power struggle has erupted between opposing factions within the party with a group of dissidents attempting to take control.

It has prompted a constitutional debate within the party and led to a court fight over access to DLP documents.

Mr Somyurek’s resignation comes amid a factional war that has threatened the existence of the party. Picture: Ian Currie

More critically the ongoing factional war has led to a purge of members, with the Victorian Electoral Commission warning earlier this month it was considering deregistering the party because it no longer had the required 500 eligible members.

Mr Somyurek, a former Labor factional powerbroker who joined the DLP ahead of the 2022 election after being expelled from the ALP, said he had no interest in the ongoing dispute.

“I am living a post-factional political career,” he said.

“I’ve told all sides of the dispute very early on that I won’t deal with any of them unless they sort out their problems.

“I have no line of sight on what’s happening inside the DLP.”