22.07.2026 14:10
After Özgür Özel's decision to form a new party in CHP, independent İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, who had previously stated "I will be there if Özgür Özel forms a new party," announced that he will not join the new formation. Tugay said he will continue his duty as an independent for a while longer and focus on municipal services.
CHP Group Chair Özgür Özel officially announced that they would establish a new party, and the subsequent wave of resignations within the party also stirred up balances in local administrations. The stance of Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay, who had previously resigned from CHP and continued his duty as an independent, known for his statement "I will be there if Özgür Özel establishes a new party," had been a matter of curiosity.
"I WILL FOCUS ON MUNICIPAL SERVICES FOR A WHILE LONGER"
Speaking to Sözcü, Cemil Tugay clarified his current position regarding the new party process. Stating that he would not join the new formation at this stage, Tugay said, "I intend to remain independent for a while longer and focus on municipal services."
DIFFERENT CHOICES AMONG IZMIR DEPUTIES
Meanwhile, following Özgür Özel's decision, different alignments emerged in Izmir politics and at the deputies level. CHP Deputy Chairman and Izmir Deputy Murat Bakan officially announced that he would resign from the party and join the new formation led by Özgür Özel. Izmir Deputies Mahir Polat and Sevda Erdan Kılıç, on the other hand, reiterated their support for Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in their messages.
HAD RESIGNED FROM CHP
Tugay had announced his resignation from CHP on June 18, after CHP Chairman Kılıçdaroğlu referred CHP Izmir Provincial Chair Çağatay Güç to the High Disciplinary Board with a request for 'definitive expulsion.'