27.07.2026 01:40
It has been claimed that a major split has occurred in İzmir, a stronghold of the CHP, which could shake local balances. It is alleged that 24 out of 28 CHP district mayors in the city will join the new party established under the leadership of Özgür Özel. While it is stated that Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay will remain independent, the claim that only 4 district mayors will stay in the CHP ranks has made a huge impact.
A historic political shift is taking place in Izmir, known as CHP's stronghold. The claim of mass participation from Izmir in the New Party founded by Özgür Özel with 90 MPs has dropped like a bombshell. It is alleged that 24 of the 28 CHP district mayors in the city will gradually join the New Party starting tomorrow.
After the internal rift within CHP, attention had turned to the mayors. According to the latest information leaked to the corridors, the cards are being reshuffled in Izmir's local administrations.
CEMIL TUGAY WILL REMAIN INDEPENDENT İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay stated that he tends to remain independent in this process, putting an end to claims that he would switch to AK Party. In his statement, Tugay used the following expressions:
"I will continue my duty as Mayor independently. I am trying to avoid the negative reflections of political uncertainties on municipal services in Izmir. The peace and prosperity of our city and country are my top priorities."
ONLY 4 MAYORS REMAIN IN CHP The names who are stated to continue staying in CHP under Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's leadership are as follows:
Erman Uzun (Narlıdere Mayor)
Onur Emrah Yıldız (Çiğli Mayor)
Prof. Dr. Tanju Çelik (Bergama Mayor)
Hüseyin Benzer (Buca Deputy Mayor)
However, it is being discussed in the corridors that two of these mayors who remain in CHP might also join the New Party in the upcoming period.
HERE ARE THOSE 24 MAYORS The other mayors who are alleged to follow Filiz Ceritoğlu Sengel, the Mayor of Efes Selçuk who announced her resignation from CHP to join the New Party, are listed as follows:
Filiz Ceritoğlu Sengel Bayındır: Davut Sakarsu
Bayraklı: İrfan Önal
Beydağ: Şakir Başaran
Ömer Eşki Bornova: Ömer Eşki
Çeşme: Lal Denizli
Lal Denizli Dikili: Adil Kırgöz
Foça: Saniye Bora Fıçı
Gaziemir: Ünal Işık
Güzelbahçe: Ayşe Akın (Deputy Mayor)
Karabağlar: Emine Helil Kınay
Helil Kınay Karaburun: İlkay Girgin Erdoğan
Karşıyaka: Behice Yıldız Ünsal
Ödemiş: Mustafa Turan
Seferihisar: Fuat Gümüş (Deputy Mayor)
Tire: Hayati Okuroğlu
Torbalı: Övünç Demir
Övünç Demir Urla: Selçuk Balkan
Konak: Nilüfer Çınarlı Mutlu
Kınık: Sema Bodur
Kemalpaşa: Mehmet Türkmen
Kiraz: Nasuh Coşkun
Menderes: İlkay Çiçek
Balçova: Selahattin Yıldız (Deputy Mayor)
DISTRICT HEADS WILL TRANSITION WITHOUT LOSS On the other hand, claims are not limited to mayors alone. According to the latest information leaked to the corridors, it is alleged that all CHP district heads in Izmir are preparing to switch to the New Party ranks without any losses. If this claim materializes, CHP's main organizational structure in the city will almost entirely shift to the New Party.
THE 2024 ELECTION TABLE IS CHANGING In the local elections of March 31, 2024, CHP achieved a great success by winning 28 of Izmir's 30 districts. The People's Alliance had only won the districts of Menemen (AK Party) and Aliağa (MHP). If the claims of a mass transition become reality, CHP's local power map in Izmir is expected to be completely overturned.