28.07.2026 12:20
While participation in the NEW Party, established under the leadership of Özgür Özel, continues, Etimesgut Mayor Erdal Beşikçioğlu, who has drawn attention, decided to continue his political journey with the CHP. While Beşikçioğlu remains in his party, the Etimesgut CHP district organization and 15 municipal council members resigned and joined the ranks of the NEW Party.
With the establishment of the NEW Party, the activity on the political scene continues. Initially joined by 91 members of parliament, it is expected that as of this week, over 200 municipalities will also leave the CHP and switch to the party. In this process, the direction of Etimesgut Mayor Erdal Beşikçioğlu, one of the most curious figures regarding the decision, has become clear.
ORGANIZATION LEFT, MAYOR STAYED
According to information reported by journalist Hilal Köylü, the CHP Etimesgut district organization collectively resigned and decided to join the NEW Party. Additionally, 15 CHP council members serving in the Etimesgut Municipality submitted their resignations and completed their applications to switch to the NEW Party. However, Mayor Erdal Beşikçioğlu, emphasizing his commitment to the corporate identity of the CHP, chose to remain in his party.
STRATEGIC PATH FOLLOWED
During the transfer process, a strategic path was followed to avoid disrupting the political balances in the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Assembly. From the Metropolitan Municipal Council Members, resignations were not requested in order to maintain the council arithmetic of the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality. Additionally, from 2 council members aligned with Mansur Yavaş, from the Etimesgut council members going to the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, and from the members registered to the council under Erdal Beşikçioğlu's quota, resignations were not requested.
FAMILY EMPHASIS FROM ERDAL BEŞİKÇİOĞLU
Throughout the process, Beşikçioğlu, who held meetings with both Özgür Özel and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, expressed his neutrality regarding the internal party division in recent days with these words:
"They ask me, 'Do you love your mother or your father?' My answer is, 'I love my family.' Therefore, in whatever happens in this process, like other mayors, I am following closely. I am trying to do my job and serve. None of these claims are true; I am on no one's side."
WARNING FROM ÖZGÜR ÖZEL FOR MAYORS
NEW Party Leader Özgür Özel stated that during the transfer processes of mayors, council arithmetic and membership status are carefully considered. Özel emphasized that no mayor who has not made any negative statements against them during the process management will be treated as an 'invalidator' with an exclusionary attitude.