19.08.2026 12:01
Following the arrest of Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek, the AK Party won the deputy mayor election. CHP member Harun Bila, who voted for the AK Party, was referred to disciplinary proceedings with a request for definitive expulsion. Şirzat Peker and Füsun Demir from the New Party announced their resignation from their party and that they would remain independent. These two resignations were the first to occur in the newly established New Party.
AK Party's win in the deputy mayor election held after the arrest of Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek led to political consequences in CHP and New Party. CHP council member Harun Bila was referred to disciplinary action with a request for definitive expulsion, while two council members from the New Party resigned and announced that they would continue their duties as independents.
CHP AND NEW PARTY FAILED TO REACH AN AGREEMENT
Following the appointment of AK Party candidate Asuman Şen as acting mayor in the election held on August 17, 2026, in Menderes Municipality, disputes continue on the CHP and New Party fronts. The failure to reach a common agreement between CHP and New Party during the election process was effective in AK Party winning the election. CHP council member Harun Bila, who announced that he voted for AK Party in the election, was referred to disciplinary action with a request for definitive expulsion.
FIRST RESIGNATIONS FROM NEW PARTY
Following the election result, in the New Party, municipal council members Şirzat Peker and Füsun Demir announced their resignation from their party. Peker and Demir, who also attended the meetings organized by New Party Provincial Chairman Çağatay Güç as part of the candidate determination process, stated in their statements that the process was not managed correctly and that as a result of the developments, the municipality passed to AK Party.
"A REACTION TO A WRONG UNDERSTANDING"
In her statement regarding the resignation decision, Füsun Demir stated that principles and stance should come before positions and personal interests in politics. Demir said, "I am resigning from the political party I am a member of due to the ongoing process. Because the expectation of society is to consider the public interest and common values, not personal accounts. I stand behind the decision I made today. I am making this statement not to target anyone, but to express my reaction against an understanding I see as wrong." Demir announced that she will continue her political work as an independent council member from now on.
"I COULD NOT FIND THE NECESSARY SUPPORT"
Şirzat Peker also stated that no common ground for agreement was established between different political groups during the election process and that he could not receive the necessary support, and announced his resignation from the New Party. Peker said, "As Şirzat Peker, throughout my tenure, I have adopted as my principle to serve our Menderes and esteemed fellow citizens and to defend the interests of our district without regard to political views or party affiliation." Stating that his decision is not out of resentment or personal reckoning, Peker said he will continue his political path independently without being affiliated with any party.
Peker also congratulated Asuman Şen, who was elected to the position of Deputy Speaker of the Council, and wished her success in her new role.