29.10.2026 21:22
Transfer lobbying in Antalya politics has become active again. It has been claimed that CHP’s Kepez Mayor Mesut Kocagöz, Demre Mayor Fahri Duran, and Korkuteli Mayor Saniye Caran will switch to the AK Party in the coming days. While Demre Mayor Fahri Duran previously stated that he had met with the AK Party but that there was no agenda of joining, eyes have turned to a possible statement from official authorities.
A claim of a significant party change in Antalya local politics has landed like a bombshell. Journalist Sinan Burhan argued that the mayors of Kepez, Demre and Korkuteli, who were elected from the CHP in the March 31 local elections, may join the AK Party in the coming days.
3 DISTRICT MAYORS ON THE AGENDA
The names at the center of the claims are Kepez Mayor Mesut Kocagöz, Demre Mayor Fahri Duran and Korkuteli Mayor Saniye Caran. All three had won the last local elections under the CHP umbrella and taken office.
LOBBYING IS ACTIVE, EYES ON OFFICIAL STATEMENTS
Although claims that different mayors in Antalya will change parties have occasionally come to the fore, no official joining has taken place yet.
Regarding the claims about him, Demre Mayor Fahri Duran confirmed in a statement on October 21 that he had met with AK Party officials within the scope of the service process and received support, but he stated that at that stage he had no agenda such as resigning from his party and switching to the AK Party.
All eyes are now on possible official statements from the mayors and the AK Party side.