20.07.2026 13:00
The dismissal of Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli within 6 months caused a great stir. Although the public perceives the opposition's criticism of the governor in parliament as a "TikTok Governor" over his cycling attire (tights) as the reason, it has been suggested that the behind-the-scenes story is different.
The sudden dismissal of Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli just six months after taking office caused a great stir both in Turkey and worldwide. Although the public perception spread that the governor was removed for "wearing leggings while cycling and actively using social media," it was alleged that the real issue was a deep "power struggle" between bureaucracy and politics.
WAS THE "TIKTOK GOVERNOR" CRITICISM A PERCEPTION? No clear statement was made by official authorities regarding the reason for dismissal. However, during this process, a CHP deputy from the neighboring province of Kars criticized Governor Çiçekli under the roof of the Turkish Grand National Assembly over his cycling outfit (leggings) and social media posts, accusing him of being a "Tiktok Governor," which was perceived as the main reason for the dismissal. While the opposition and supporters reacted for the governor known for his hands-on public profile, the AK Party's preference to remain silent drew attention. But the other side of the coin shows the matter is far deeper than a simple clothing debate.
THE EVENT THAT LIT THE FUSE The crisis behind the scenes began quietly, in a way that makes one say "a week before the event, signs were clear." Shortly before the governor's dismissal, AK Party Ardahan Provincial Chairman Hakan Aydın was removed from his post. According to political circles, Provincial Chairman Hakan Aydın chose the side of Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli in the power struggle between bureaucracy and local politics. This move shook the balances within the party and triggered the process that led to the downfall of both the provincial chairman and the governor.
CHP Kars Deputy İnan Akgün Alp had targeted Governor Çiçekli in Parliament THE POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN BUREAUCRACY AND POLITICS It is known that Governor Çiçekli adopted a similar, unconventional, and hands-on management style in his previous posts. Therefore, it is suggested that behind the appointment of the governor by the same government and his dismissal within six months lies a "struggle for obedience and power." According to leaked information from backstage, what happened is not a "leggings crisis" as presented to the public; it is interpreted as a struggle by local politics to assert its power over bureaucracy, in other words, the result of a full-fledged "Throne Struggle."