12.05.2026 11:51
The claim that CHP's Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal will join the AK Party has sent shockwaves through the political agenda. Köksal, who alleged that CHP Chairman Özgür Özel threatened her, is expected to join the AK Party today at 4:00 PM. Regarding the transfer, Köksal said, "I am very much at ease. There was no longer any opportunity to engage in politics within the CHP." President Erdoğan will pin the party badge on Köksal.
Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal, who entered politics 20 years ago from the CHP, is expected to join the AK Party at today's (Tuesday, May 12) AK Party Expanded Provincial Chairmen's Meeting. It is rumored that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will pin her badge.
Köksal made a clear statement last week regarding the claims that she would join the AK Party, saying, "Yes, I made a decision. On Tuesday, at the Expanded Provincial Chairmen's Meeting, I am joining the AK Party. There is no threat or pressure behind this decision. There is also no investigation against me."
The AK Party Expanded Provincial Chairmen's Meeting will take place at 4:00 PM.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that Afyonkarahisar Dinar Mayor Veysel Topçu will also join the AK Party at the same meeting. Topçu had exposed the debts remaining from the AK Party era with a banner he hung on the municipal building as soon as he came to office.
"I AM VERY MUCH AT EASE"
Köksal, who announced she would join the AK Party today, said, "I am very much at ease. There was no opportunity left to engage in politics within the CHP."
Speaking to Tv100, Burcu Köksal also revealed messages she claimed CHP Chairman Özgür Özel sent to her. Köksal stated, "When the discussions about switching to the AK Party started 5-6 months ago, Özgür Özel wrote to me, 'I will come to power in 5-6 months and I will not forgive you.' He said, 'You will beg me to forgive you.' The 'divorce' message was the mildest of Özel's messages. Özgür Özel made my life miserable."
"ÖZGÜR ÖZEL THREATENED ME"
Köksal also made striking statements regarding the claims that she was threatened. She said, "I also saw Cemal Enginyurt's threat claim. First, let them tell me who threatened me. Yes, I was threatened, but it was Özgür Özel who threatened me."
CHP'S FINAL EXPULSION MOVE
Following these developments, the CHP Central Executive Board meeting decided to refer Burcu Köksal to the disciplinary committee with a request for definitive expulsion.
CHP Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Zeynel Emre stated that Köksal did not respond to the party management's calls, saying, "Now, goodbye, wherever she goes."
Thereupon, Burcu Köksal resigned from her party.
HOW MANY CHP MAYORS HAVE SWITCHED TO THE AK PARTY?
In the March 31, 2024 local elections, where the CHP emerged as the leading party, it won a total of 420 mayoral positions. Since the local elections, 15 CHP mayors have switched to the AK Party so far. With Köksal's switch, this number will rise to 16. So far, only one metropolitan mayor has transferred to the AK Party. That was Özlem Çerçioğlu, who made the switch in August 2025.
WHO IS BURCU KÖKSAL?
Born in 1980 in Afyonkarahisar, Burcu Köksal completed her primary and secondary education in Afyonkarahisar. After completing her higher education at Istanbul University Faculty of Law, Köksal began her legal career registered with the Afyonkarahisar Bar Association.
While serving on the Afyonkarahisar Bar Association's Women's and Children's Rights Commission and Internship Commission, she took on important roles in various non-governmental organizations, including serving on the Executive Board of the Contemporary Life Support Association's Afyonkarahisar Provincial Branch, as well as the Atatürkist Thought Association and many others.
After serving as the Chair of the Republican People's Party Afyonkarahisar Provincial Women's Branch, Köksal was elected as a CHP Member of Parliament for Afyonkarahisar in the 25th, 26th, and 27th terms. Serving as a Secretary Member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Presidency Council, a member of the TBMM CHP Group Executive Board, and a member of the National Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports Commission, Köksal also served on the Parliamentary Research Commission for the Prevention of All Forms of Abuse, Especially Sexual Abuse Against Children, the Parliamentary Research Commission for Determining Measures to Be Taken to Prevent Divorce, and the Commission on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men.
Having served as the Deputy Group Chair for the 28th Term Republican People's Party, Köksal was elected as the Mayor of Afyonkarahisar in the March 31, 2024 Local Administrative Elections, becoming the first female mayor of Afyonkarahisar.
Burcu Köksal is married to Yasin Köksal and is the mother of one child.