08.04.2025 10:10
Umut Yılmaz, the mayor of Şehitkamil from the CHP, has resigned from his party. For weeks, Yılmaz has been at odds with his party, and those who voted for him expressed their reactions in the streets. Hasan Şencan, the CHP group spokesperson for the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Council, shared footage of the protest and expressed his discontent by saying, "Shame on those trying to protect their comfort zone."
In Gaziantep, CHP's Şehitkamil Mayor Umut Yılmaz resigned from his party. It was learned that Yılmaz submitted his resignation from the CHP via the e-government portal.
HE REMAINED SILENT ON İMAMOĞLU'S ARREST
Since the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19, Umut Yılmaz has not made any statements regarding his party, and his silence on the arrested mayors has caused reactions within the party. It was known that Yılmaz had been at odds with the CHP for some time.
CHP MEMBERS DID NOT ATTEND THE COUNCIL MEETING
The municipal council members, gathered under the chairmanship of CHP Şehitkamil District President Hurşit Yıldırım, decided not to attend the council meeting to protest Umut Yılmaz, while Şehitkamil Deputy Mayor Vakkas Acar also announced his resignation from his position.
Acar stated in his announcement on social media: "My very valuable fellow citizens and dear comrades, I have served you in Şehitkamil Municipality for about 10 months as assigned by our General President. Due to the recent developments, I am resigning from my position in the municipality."
THE MAYOR WAS PROTESTED
The reactions that began after Yılmaz's resignation also spilled into the streets. Those who voted for Yılmaz protested the resignation decision with Turkish flags. Hasan Şencan, the CHP Group Spokesperson of the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Council, also shared a video of the protests.
In a post on social media, Şencan stated:
"While Ekrem İmamoğlu is being taken hostage, our comrades are struggling with traps, our party is being besieged by operations, our people are fighting in the squares, 301 young people are not afraid of prisons, and Mahir Polat is paying the price with his life, shame on those trying to protect their comfort zone!"
CHP HAD WON THE DISTRICT AFTER 30 YEARS
CHP had achieved a first in Gaziantep after 30 years, winning the Şehitkamil Municipality, which is the 6th largest district in Turkey with a population of 1 million. It will be revealed in the coming days whether Umut Yılmaz will remain independent or switch to the AKP in the future.