08.05.2026 16:59
CHP members will stage a rally in Afyonkarahisar against Mayor Burcu Köksal, who is reported to have resigned from the CHP and will join the AK Party on May 12. CHP Deputy Group Chair Ali Mahir Başarır and Ankara MP Umut Akdoğan have invited party members to gather in front of the Afyonkarahisar Municipality on Friday, May 8. Başarır stated, 'We do not bow down; together we defend the will of the people!' while Akdoğan said, 'We have things to say tonight in Afyonkarahisar. Let's open the box.'
CHP members are taking action against Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal, who is reportedly resigning from CHP to join the AK Party.
CHP Ankara Deputy Umut Akdoğan announced today that they will be at Afyonkarahisar Municipality with CHP Deputy Group Chair Ali Mahir Başarır. The protest titled "We Stand by Afyon's Will" will start on Friday, May 8 at 5 PM.
"LET'S OPEN THE BOX"
Akdoğan, who called for the protest, wrote on his social media account: "We have things to talk about tonight in Afyonkarahisar. Let's open the box. Let's go back a bit to the past. Let's talk about today and weave the future. We will speak openly."
Ali Mahir Başarır also called out: "In the footsteps of Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, on the lands where the Great Offensive began; we are gathering to protect Afyon's will and the decision the nation made at the ballot box. I invite all citizens of Afyon to stand up for their own will. We do not bow down; we defend the nation's will together!"
AK PARTY CONFIRMED THE CLAIMS
Burcu Köksal, who remained silent for a long time and was reportedly not answering CHP officials' calls, finally confirmed in a statement to journalist Barış Yarkadaş that she would join the AK Party.
Köksal reportedly said, "On Tuesday, at the expanded provincial heads meeting, I am joining the AK Party. There is no threat or pressure behind this decision. There is no investigation against me."
Last night, party members gathered in front of the CHP Provincial Headquarters and the municipal building, holding a protest with slogans like "Don't let the mayor go."
While party administrators stated they could not reach Köksal, CHP Afyonkarahisar Provincial Chair Hasan Karadeniz said, "Unfortunately, our mayor has succumbed to political pressure, she could not stand firm. She could not show the same resilience as our mayors who have resisted."