Cemil Tugay joins AK Party, deputy mayor resigns in Izmir

Published 7 Oct, 12:45 Updated 8 Oct, 04:10 Photo: Ekonomim

Latest in the series CHP slams Cemil Tugay over party switch as indefensible 8 Oct, 08:05

Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay joined the AK Party; President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pinned on his badge. After Tugay joined, Izmir Metropolitan Deputy Mayor Zafer Levent Yıldır resigned from his posts.

Yıldır announced that he had left the deputy mayoralty as well as the first deputy chairmanship of the council and had submitted his resignation to the relevant units. Tugay had resigned from the CHP on June 18 and had continued to serve as mayor as an independent.

Cemil Tugay joins AK Party, deputy mayor resigns in Izmir

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Cemil Tugay's Switch to AK Party News Series

Where it began 1 Oct 2026 Erdoğan receives Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay

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.
7 Oct 2026 12:45 Cemil Tugay joins AK Party, deputy mayor resigns in Izmir Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay joined the AK Party; President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pinned on his badge. After Tugay joined, Izmir Metropolitan Deputy Mayor Zafer Levent Yıldır resigned from his posts.

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