19.06.2026 18:00
A striking claim has emerged regarding İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, who resigned from CHP after showing reaction to expulsion decisions, as CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu returned to office following the court's absolute nullity ruling. According to insider information, it is alleged that he said he would join the new party if established, and that his resignation was within Özel's knowledge.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay reacted to the recent developments within the party and the expulsion decisions, announcing his resignation from the Republican People's Party (CHP) yesterday with an official statement. Tugay stated that he will continue his duties as an independent mayor, citing the 'Absolute Nullity' process and anti-democratic practices in the party management as reasons for his resignation.
"TUGAY'S RESIGNATION IS WITHIN ÖZEL'S KNOWLEDGE" Following this sudden resignation, a striking claim emerged in political circles. According to a post by journalist Can Barut, Tugay will join a new party if it is established under the leadership of Özgür Özel. Barut's post included the following statements: 'He said they are very close with Özgür Özel, their partnership has continued since the change congress, Özel's decision is very valuable to him, and of course he will join the new party if it is established. He also stated that his resignation was within Özel's knowledge.'
"EXPULSION DECISIONS ARE CONCERNING" Meanwhile, in his resignation statement, Cemil Tugay said: 'To the knowledge of my esteemed Izmir citizens and the public, the “Absolute Nullity” decision that our Republican People’s Party has been subjected to and the subsequent developments are known to everyone. I see and understand that this process has caused great harm to our party, which was founded by Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and established our Republic. Particularly, the consecutive expulsion decisions in recent days are very concerning. Yesterday, the dismissal of our provincial chair along with a group of district chairs is a great injustice to the political will of Izmir and an unacceptable mistake.'
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay "POLITICAL WILL IS ROUGHLY IGNORED" 'The rough disregard of the political will coming from our party members and voters is indicative of similar decisions to be made in the future. It is impossible to see and accept these consecutive decisions as normal. Under these circumstances, I think it has become inevitable for us to face the bare facts. Of course, we all have responsibilities to restore our party to a normal democratic management environment as soon as possible. With my stance, statements, and by signing for the extraordinary convention, I have tried to contribute to this process as much as I could.'
"OUR COUNTRY NEEDS A CHP FREE FROM TUTELAGE" 'However, I understand and see that our well-intentioned efforts will not yield results within the expected time, and many of our party members will continue to be unfairly and unlawfully targeted. I sincerely believe that our country needs a Republican People's Party that is free from all kinds of schemes, tutelage, and manipulation, working for the rights and welfare of our people. I will continue to be a part of this struggle throughout my life. But the “Absolute Nullity CHP” is not the framework for this struggle.'
"I WILL CONTINUE MY DUTY AS AN INDEPENDENT" 'With these convictions and thoughts, with great sadness and with hope of returning one day, I resign from my membership in the Republican People’s Party. From now on, I will continue my duty as the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor as an independent, and I will keep serving our city and our people with all my strength. I respectfully submit this for your information.'