YENİ Party says it heard Cemil Tugay will join AK Party

YENİ Party spokesperson Zeynel Emre said they had received information that Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay would join the AK Party, but that no contact had been made with them.

Sinan Burhan had claimed Tugay would join the party at the AK Party group meeting on 7 October and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan would pin on his badge. Tugay had resigned from the CHP on 18 June and had announced he would continue as an independent.

Cemil Tugay's Switch to AK Party News Series

8 Oct 2026 08:05 CHP slams Cemil Tugay over party switch as indefensible Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay's move to the AK Party drew reactions from the CHP. Party spokesperson Müslim Sarı said he found the situation "indefensible".

8 Oct 2026 07:06 Cemil Tugay joins AK Party, protests held in Izmir Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay joined the AK Party; President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pinned on his badge. After protests in Izmir, it was reported that the AK Party does not hold a majority in the municipal council.

7 Oct 2026 22:03 CHP reacts to Cemil Tugay's switch to AK Party Cemil Tugay's resignation from the CHP and joining the AK Party drew reactions from the CHP. Party spokesperson Müslim Sarı described the switch as a situation "without precedent in the world."

7 Oct 2026 15:06 Izmir City Theatres artistic director Üzümcü also resigns After Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay joined the AK Party, General Artistic Director Levent Üzümcü joined the deputy council chairs and City Theatre Advisory Board members in resigning.

5 Oct 2026 11:27 YENİ Party says it heard Cemil Tugay will join AK Party YENİ Party spokesperson Zeynel Emre said they had received information that Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay would join the AK Party, but that no contact had been made with them.

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