28.07.2026 20:20
After Özgür Özel left the CHP with 90 deputies to establish the New Party, it was claimed that mayors in four districts of Istanbul would join the AK Party. Tuzla Mayor Ali Eren Bingöl, Eyüpsultan Mayor Mithat Bülent Özmen, and Çekmeköy Mayor Orhan Çerkez were alleged to be in contact for a transition to the ruling party. Along with Şile Deputy Mayor Sacit Terzi, who resigned from the CHP and remained independent, these four individuals are expected to soon receive the AK Party badge.
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's return to the CHP leadership chair with a "nullity" decision sparked a major storm within the party, as 90 deputies led by Özgür Özel broke away to form the "New Party." Following this historic split and leadership crisis in Ankara, claims that mayors of 4 districts in Istanbul would also switch to the AK Party stirred the rumor mill.
Turkish politics is in turmoil due to the legal processes within the CHP and the subsequent wave of separation. As deputies aligned with Özgür Özel move to the New Party, shifting the balance in the main opposition line, this crisis has also caused major fractures in local administrations.
PREPARATION FOR TRANSITION TO AK PARTY IN 4 DISTRICTS
It is reported that some mayors in Istanbul, disturbed by this uncertainty and dual-leadership environment within the party, will favor the ruling party instead of the New Party.
According to information leaked from the rumor mill; Tuzla Mayor Ali Eren Bingöl, Eyüpsultan Mayor Mithat Bülent Özmen, and Çekmeköy Mayor Orhan Çerkez are alleged to be continuing contacts to join the AK Party ranks.
The last name allegedly set to join the AK Party is Şile Deputy Mayor Sacit Terzi, who recently resigned from the CHP and continues as an independent.
These four names are expected to receive the AK Party badge soon.
Beyond the shift from CHP to the New Party, it is anticipated that transition requests towards the AK Party may increase in the coming days.