Journalist Sinan Burhan claims seven mayors may switch to AKP
Seven municipal mayors in Turkey are preparing to switch their political allegiance to the governing Justice and Development Party, according to an on-air claim by journalist Sinan Burhan broadcast on tv100. The projected alignment spans two major metropolitan regions, involving four mayors in İzmir and three in Ankara, arriving as local administrations grapple with shifting parliamentary balances and internal party resignations.
Karaburun İlkay Girgin Erdoğan announced her resignation from the Yeni Party, setting the stage for an expected move into the governing party, sozcu.com.tr reported. Burhan stated that Erdoğan’s departure will soon be followed by three additional mayors in İzmir, a province that recently saw Cemil Tugay transition to the governing party.
Three Ankara Municipal Leaders Intend to Join Governing Party
While the İzmir roster takes shape with named figures, the political situation in the capital remains fluid regarding specific identities. Burhan reported on tv100 that three additional municipal leaders in Ankara intend to join the governing party, though those specific district names have not yet been made public.
CHP Spokesperson Urges Ethical Obligation to Voters
Republican People’s Party Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Müslim Sarı addressed the wave of defections during a press conference at the party’s İzmir provincial headquarters, as reported by yerel-haberler.haberturk.com. Sarı argued that officials elected on opposition platforms have a clear ethical obligation to the voters who placed them in office.
Sarı noted that the elections for deputy mayors following operations on local governments provide a critical basis for opposition solidarity and collective action, a ground he urged the parties not to lose.
“Ama CHP’nin yani muhalefetin safında AKP karşıtlığında siyasal çizgileri üzerine ömürlerini vermiş, siyaset yapmış bu belediye başkanlarımızın CHP’den istifa ederek iktidar saflarına yani AKP saflarına katılıyor olmalarının hiçbir izahı yoktur,” Sarı stated during the briefing, questioning the justifications offered for the party switches.
Sarı also pointed to the nomination process behind İzmir Cemil Tugay, asserting that party alignment during internal leadership contests heavily influenced candidate selection. Egedesonsoz.com noted that the opposition provincial organization held a broad evaluation meeting with municipal council members in İzmir, led by Provincial Chairperson Utku Gümrükçü and party officials, to discuss joint strategies and legislative discipline.
Independent Continuation in Karaburun
In Karaburun, the political transition began with a formal separation from prior affiliations. Karaburun İlkay Girgin Erdoğan released a written statement confirming her resignation from the Yeni Party membership, according to Haber 7. Erdoğan stated that her primary focus remains serving the district’s residents regardless of party labels.
Erdoğan announced that she will continue her mayoral duties as an independent official without participating in formal party structures for the immediate future. The resignation statement did not cite a specific policy disagreement or internal dispute as the catalyst for her departure from the Yeni Party.