14.08.2025 18:41
The Mayor of Aydın Metropolitan Municipality, Özlem Çerçioğlu, has resigned from the CHP (Republican People's Party). Çerçioğlu, who is expected to join the AK Party today, stated, "I can no longer walk the same path as the CHP due to my principles of honesty, service within the framework of the law, and not compromising on public morality." Following Çerçioğlu, three more district mayors have also resigned from the CHP.
Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu has resigned from the CHP. While Çerçioğlu is expected to wear a badge at the AK Party's anniversary ceremony today, it drew attention that her resignation came during the speech of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel.
Following Özlem Çerçioğlu's resignation, three district mayors also resigned from the CHP.
"I CAN NO LONGER WALK THE SAME PATH AS CHP"
Çerçioğlu announced her resignation with these words: "As the Mayor of Aydın Metropolitan Municipality, my three mayors and I have repeatedly sought solutions to the problems we face within the Republican People's Party at the party's authorized offices, but unfortunately, we have not reached a conclusion.
Due to the anti-democratic practices experienced, as well as my fundamental principles and the principles of honesty, service within the framework of laws, and not compromising on public morality that I have promised to the people of Aydın and my family, I can no longer walk the same path as the Republican People's Party.
"MYSELF AND MY FAMILY HAVE BEEN TARGETED"
I especially want it to be known that despite expressing our demands for honesty, morality, and compliance with the law at every level to prevent reaching this point, myself and my family have been targeted.
As a result, since there is no longer an opportunity to engage in politics within the Republican People's Party, I am resigning from party membership as I see fit.
Just as I have served the people of Aydın without any discrimination until now, I will continue to serve with the same enthusiasm and determination, and there should be no doubt among my fellow citizens.
I greet all the citizens of Aydın with my respects."
3 MORE DISTRICT MAYORS HAVE RESIGNED
After Özlem Çerçioğlu, Aydın Söke Mayor Mustafa İberya Arıkan, Aydın Yenipazar Mayor Malik Ercan, and Aydın Sultanhisar Mayor Osman Yıldırımkaya also resigned from the CHP.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The claim that CHP's Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu would join the AK Party stirred the backstage yesterday. It was stated that Çerçioğlu would join the AK Party along with the mayors of Sultanhisar, Söke, and Yenipazar, which are important districts of Aydın. There were also claims that many municipal council members in Aydın would switch to the AK Party.
It was noteworthy that the information about Çerçioğlu joining the AK Party was confirmed by CHP Aydın Deputy Süleyman Bülbül. Later, CHP officials who went to Aydın also confirmed the claim.