24.07.2026 18:50
The disintegration that started in CHP has spread to local administrations. Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Besim Dutlulu resigned from his party and announced that he joined the New Party established under the leadership of Özgür Özel. With this decision, Dutlulu became the first metropolitan mayor to join the New Party, while expectations in political circles that similar splits could occur in other municipalities gained strength.
Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Besim Dutlulu, who resigned from the CHP, announced that he will continue his political career under the umbrella of the New Party, led by Özgür Özel. With Dutlulu's decision, the New Party has included its first metropolitan mayor among its ranks.
As the New Party, which rose to the position of the main opposition party in the Turkish Grand National Assembly through deputy transfers, is considered to have taken its first major step in local governance, Besim Dutlulu's participation was interpreted in political circles as the beginning of a new era.
ANNOUNCED THROUGH HIS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT
Besim Dutlulu announced his decision to leave the CHP and join the New Party to the public through a statement on his social media account.
Stating that he respects the party members who chose to stay in the CHP, Dutlulu criticized the current party administration.
He made the following statements in his announcement:
"I respect the choice of all our party members who prefer to stay in the Republican People's Party. However, I do not think it is correct for the country's interest to remain in a party that currently acts under the sway of the government, just because of its founder or our historical sense of belonging. Yesterday, our party needed change, and change happened. Today, the country needs renewal. We will achieve that renewal together."
FIRST METROPOLITAN MAYOR IN THE NEW PARTY
With Dutlulu's decision, the New Party has added its first metropolitan mayor to its ranks.
It drew attention that the party, which reached significant representation power in the Turkish Grand National Assembly after 91 deputies resigned from the CHP and joined the New Party, is now also represented at the metropolitan municipality level in local governance.
EYES ON OTHER MAYORS
In political circles, it is being discussed that after Besim Dutlulu's decision, other provincial and district mayors might take similar steps.
While the New Party is expected to accelerate its organization in local governance following the deputy transfers, potential participation decisions from various mayors in the coming period are expected to affect the political balance.