Gülşah Durbay, supported by the 81 provincial chairpersons, couldn't hold back her tears.

In a column on a website, support came from party members in all 81 provinces for Gülşah Durbay, the Mayor of Şehzadeler in Manisa, and Özgür Özel, the Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), who are alleged to have a relationship. Citizens and party members gathered in front of the Şehzadeler Municipality to show their support for Mayor Durbay. The crowd, holding banners and placards, chanted slogans to express their solidarity with Mayor Durbay.

"POLITICAL AND SYSTEMATIC"

CHP Manisa Provincial Chairman İlksen Özalper, speaking on behalf of the 81 provincial chairpersons, stated, "Our Mayor Gülşah has spent nights in front of the courthouse for young comrades who were taken into custody, and at times, she traveled from village to village with a piece of dry bread in her bag to support our party. She became our mayoral candidate in Şehzadeler, one of the most challenging districts in Manisa, for the local elections on March 31, 2024. She worked tirelessly with our organization in Manisa; she became a role model for young girls, the sister of children, and the daughter of the people of Manisa, achieving what was deemed impossible and being elected as the Mayor of Şehzadeler at a young age. Gülşah Durbay is a republican woman who believes that women should take on more active roles in politics, business life, and decision-making mechanisms, and she fights for this cause. The identity struggle of women in Turkey is a fundamental struggle in all areas, including politics. Psychological violence, a form of violence against women, is another issue that is fought against as a result of the inability to digest the successes achieved in politics and business life, not just within homes. The attacks in question are political, as in all cases of violence against women, and are the result of a systematic structure," he said.

"WE DO NOT ACCEPT THE INHUMANE ATTACK"

Özalper, stating that they would be by Mayor Durbay's side during her battle with colon cancer, said, "We learned with sadness that our Mayor Gülşah has been diagnosed with a difficult illness after her great struggles. We do not accept the inhumane attack she was subjected to at a time when she needs morale and spiritual strength the most. Gülşah Durbay is at her post with all her strength and determination. As the soldiers and companions of the Republican People's Party, we stand by her," he said.

"THERE ARE ALWAYS COWARDS WHO WANT TO SMEAR OUR MAYORS"

Following Chairman Özalper, Şehzadeler Mayor Gülşah Durbay stated, "As part of this attack, I, unfortunately, received my share at a very bad time, just like all women. I had made the necessary statement. I do not even find it worth talking about these people. But we women are not only subjected to physical violence. There are always cowards who want to smear our successes. But we will confront them in court. We will heal together. We will grow stronger together. Today, I saw how full of substance it is," she said.

SHE COULDN'T HOLD BACK HER TEARS

During the speeches of Chairman Özalper and Mayor Durbay, it was noted that they frequently experienced emotional moments and could not hold back their tears.

WHAT HAPPENED?

An article titled "Did Özgür Özel's knot get untied in Şehzadeler?" was published on a website under the signature of Ebru Küçükaydın, claiming that there was a relationship between Özgür Özel and Gülşah Durbay. The article also alleged that Özel's leg was broken in a fight related to this relationship. Following the article, the allegations began to be discussed on social media, and many news sites reported on the article. Gülşah Durbay, the Mayor of Şehzadeler in Manisa, whose name was involved in the allegations of an affair with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and who was claimed to have had an abortion, responded to the allegations, stating, "I have been slandered. I will hold accountable for all the lies in court."