08.10.2025 16:47
President Erdoğan pinned badges on seven mayors during the first group meeting of the AK Party. Four of the mayors who came to the stage kissed Erdoğan's hand; among those who kissed his hand was Gökhan Budak, the Mayor of Göle, who recently resigned from the CHP. Budak had previously stated that he would remain independent, but he had also said, "I must do whatever the people of Göle say, if they command me."
President Erdoğan held the first Group Meeting of his party this year at the AK Party Congress Center. After his speech, Erdoğan pinned badges on seven mayors who joined his party.
THEY KISSED ERDOĞAN'S HAND
Four of the seven mayors who came to the stage kissed Erdoğan's hand. One of the mayors who kissed Erdoğan's hand was Gökhan Budak, the Mayor of Göle, who had resigned from the CHP in recent months.
"I HAVE TO DO IT IF THEY COMMAND" HE SAID
Budak recently responded to the question of whether he would join the AK Party by saying, "I am currently independent; I will remain independent, but I do not want to do anything without consulting the people of Göle. I will act with whoever the majority supports. I have not sold my party. Until today, I have not said 'I am joining the AK Party.' I said I would remain independent for a while. But during the time I remain independent, I will consult with the people of Göle, and I have to do whatever they command me to do."
The mayors who joined the AK Party are as follows:
- Gökhan Budak - Göle, Ardahan - CHP
- Abdulbaki Kara - Şiran, Gümüşhane - DP
- Eşref Varol - Ilıcalar, Bingöl - YRP
- Hayrettin Küçük - Sancak, Bingöl - YRP
- Soner Erkan - Ören, Giresun - YRP
- Uşak Ataş - Sarıpınar, Bulanık, Muş - DEVA
- Abid Özdemir - Rüstem Gedik, Bulanık, Muş - DEVA