18.10.2026 20:40
Former CHP MP Aykut Erdoğdu, who is detained in Silivri Prison, announced that he resigned from the Republican People's Party and joined the YENİ Party.
Erdoğdu, who announced the decision through a post on his social media account, stated that the breaking point was the police entering the CHP Headquarters on May 21, 2026.
Former CHP Istanbul MP Aykut Erdoğdu, who is detained within the scope of the IMM (İBB) case, announced in a written statement from Silivri No. 9 Penal Institution that he had resigned from membership of the Republican People's Party and would join the YENİ Party.
Sharing his decision with the public through his social media account, Erdoğdu made important statements regarding the resignation process.
“I MADE THE RESIGNATION DECISION WHEN THE POLICE ENTERED THE HEADQUARTERS”
In his statement, Erdoğdu noted that he made the resignation decision on 21 May 2026, when police entered the CHP Headquarters, and described the process in these words:
“I made the resignation decision on 21 May 2026 when police entered our Headquarters. However, I waited until today in case the situation could change either through a Court of Cassation decision or a Congress decision. But at this point, I can no longer carry this burden.”
“I AM PREPARED TO ACCEPT WHATEVER THE COST”
Emphasizing that he predicted the current leadership had completed its political lifespan, Erdoğdu stated that he had also taken into account the legal consequences of his decision:
“As the price of this decision I have made, I am prepared to face the prolongation of my unjust and unlawful detention or a new arrest through new slanders. In this struggle, I respectfully salute all my companions who have been unjustly arrested and locked up in prisons across Turkey. I predict that the current leadership has completed its political lifespan and that the YENİ Party will win the elections by a clear margin.”
HE CALLED FOR JOINING THE YENİ PARTY
Inviting all patriots and the voter base to gather under the roof of the YENİ Party, Erdoğdu concluded his post by wishing success to CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and his companions, with these words:
“I invite all patriots to become members of the YENİ Party in order to be part of this great struggle—like moths flying into the fire, like ants carrying water in their mouths to extinguish the fire... I wish ease and success to my dear companion and esteemed Chairman Özgür Özel and to all our executives.”
Erdoğdu had been taken into custody on 3 June 2025 as part of investigations into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and was arrested on 4 June 2025.