18.06.2026 21:41
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay announced his resignation from the CHP. In his resignation statement, Tugay said, "The decision of absolute nullity and the events that have occurred are known to everyone. This process is causing great damage to our party. The successive expulsion decisions are very concerning. Yesterday, the dismissal of our Izmir provincial chairperson along with a group of provincial chairs is a great injustice to the political will of Izmir and an unacceptable mistake."
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay has resigned from the CHP.
CEMİL TUGAY'S STATEMENT
"To the attention of my esteemed fellow citizens of İzmir and the public
The 'Absolute Nullity' decision that our Republican People's Party has been subjected to and the subsequent developments are known to everyone. I see and understand that this process has caused great damage to our party, which was founded by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and established our Republic. The successive expulsion decisions, especially in recent days, are very concerning. Yesterday, the dismissal of our İzmir provincial chair along with a group of provincial chairs is a great injustice to the political will of İzmir and an unacceptable mistake.
The blatant disregard for the political will coming from our party members and voters indicates similar decisions to be taken in the coming days. It is impossible to view and accept these consecutive decisions as normal. Under these circumstances, I believe it is now inevitable to face the stark realities. We all certainly have responsibilities to ensure our party returns to a normal democratic governance environment as soon as possible. With my stance, statements, and by signing for an extraordinary congress, I have tried to contribute to this process as much as I could.
However, I understand and see that our good-faith efforts will not yield results within the expected timeframe, and moreover, many of our party members will continue to be unfairly and unlawfully targeted. I sincerely believe that our country needs a Republican People's Party that works for the rights and welfare of our people, free from any kind of scheming, tutelage, and manipulation. I will continue to be a part of this struggle throughout my life. But the 'Absolute Nullity CHP' is not the framework for this struggle.
With these convictions and thoughts, with great sorrow and with the hope of returning one day, I resign from my membership in the Republican People's Party. From now on, I will continue my duty as the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor independently, and I will continue to serve our city and our people with all my strength."
I present it to your esteemed knowledge."
Details to follow...