11.10.2026 11:10
Cemil Tugay, the Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality who joined the AK Party, explained the behind-the-scenes story of his decision. Stating that İZBETON was drowning in debt when he took office, Tugay said he needed government support to fulfill the promises he made to Izmir. Also touching on his meeting with President Erdoğan at the Külliye, Tugay stated that he was impressed by Erdoğan's personality, saying, "I saw a very different person from the Tayyip Erdoğan I knew."
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay described his transition to the AK Party and his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Speaking to Yeni Asır, Tugay stated that the municipality's financial problems and İzmir's investment needs were influential in his decision.
"İZBETON HAD BEEN MIRED IN AN ABNORMAL DEBT SWAMP"
Saying that the municipality was facing serious problems when he took office, Tugay described the picture he inherited with these words:
"I have been mayor for two and a half years, and during this time I really tried very hard. When I took office, I did not inherit a municipality in good condition. I am not saying this to complain about anyone, but there are facts happening before everyone's eyes. Leaving financial difficulties aside; I truly took over a city and municipality that was unplanned, without programs, almost without staff, where problems had accumulated."
Touching also on complaints about municipal services, Tugay drew attention especially to İZBETON's financial situation:
"When I took office, İZBETON had really been mired in an abnormal debt swamp. They botched the urban transformation projects and afterward the situation became irreparable."
Tugay stated that in the two and a half years he spent in office, he balanced the municipality's budget, pulled the staff together, and brought the institution to a better condition.
"WE MUST FULFILL THE PROMISES WE MADE"
Noting that the problems awaiting solutions in İzmir continue, Tugay said that he wanted to realize investments in the remaining part of his term.
Explaining that there are works that need to be done in the areas of traffic, transportation, and infrastructure, Tugay stated that the need for sewerage and treatment continues in some parts of the city.
Expressing that the drinking water network needs to be renewed, Tugay emphasized that it is also important to establish seawater treatment facilities against the risk of water scarcity.
"I CAME TO A CROSSROADS"
Explaining with what thoughts he made the decision to switch to the AK Party, Tugay said that he needed government support in order to fulfill the promises he made to İzmir.
Tugay described the dilemma he experienced during the decision stage with these words:
"Either I will do my best under the current conditions for another two and a half years, but we probably will not be able to fulfill the promises we made, we will not be able to solve İzmir's very important problems, and I will again leave a troubled İzmir to the period after me... Or, if the people whom I have somehow become convinced are truly well-intentioned, the AK Party government, will help İzmir, let me work together with them."
Tugay expressed that he became convinced that the most correct option for the people of İzmir was to work together with the government, and that he therefore made his decision.
"I WAS IMPRESSED BY ERDOĞAN'S PERSONALITY"
Also touching on his meeting with Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex, Tugay said that before this meeting he had encountered Erdoğan only once.
Stating that he shook Erdoğan's hand at the welcoming at the airport and introduced himself, Tugay recounted that their real acquaintance took place at the Presidential Complex.
Expressing that during the meeting he was surprised by Erdoğan's knowledge regarding the works in İzmir, Tugay said the following:
"However, in our meeting at the Presidential Complex, I saw a very different person from the Tayyip Erdoğan I had imagined and known. For example, he was knowledgeable about the works done in İzmir in the past, very interesting. He remembers, knows, and follows works done a long time ago."
"HE HAD A FATHERLY AND NATURAL APPROACH"
Also touching on Erdoğan's assessments on the earthquake, Tugay stated that the President agreed with him.
Tugay conveyed his impressions regarding the meeting with these words:
"I saw before me a very substantial, respected person; moreover, one with a fatherly, natural approach. That day, frankly, I was very positively impressed by him."