13.05.2026 09:30
With the resignation of Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal and Dinar Mayor Veysel Topçu from the CHP and their joining the AK Party, the number of mayors who changed parties after the 2024 local elections rose to 76.
President Erdogan, following the AK Party Extended Provincial Presidents Meeting, pinned the party badge on Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal, who resigned from the CHP. At the same ceremony, Dinar Mayor Veysel Topçu also joined the AK Party.
TRANSFER NUMBER RISES TO 76
With the participation of Burcu Köksal and Veysel Topçu, the number of mayors elected from different parties and switching to the AK Party since the 2024 local elections reached 76. These names include 1 metropolitan, 44 district, and 30 town mayors.
NUMBER OF THOSE SWITCHING FROM CHP TO AK PARTY BECOMES 17
With the participation of Köksal and Topçu, the number of mayors elected from the CHP who later switched to the AK Party rose to 17. The names switching to the AK Party also include mayors from different political parties.
MOST TRANSFERS FROM THE NEW WELFARE PARTY
Among the mayors joining the AK Party, the New Welfare Party ranked first. A total of 34 mayors elected from the New Welfare Party in the local elections later switched to the AK Party. Nine from the İYİ Party and 7 independently elected mayors also joined the AK Party. Additionally, 3 mayors from the DEVA Party, 2 from the Felicity Party, and 1 from the Democratic Party changed parties.
TRANSFERS ALSO FROM THE DEM PARTY
Among the names joining the AK Party, 2 mayors elected from the DEM Party also drew attention. It was stated that Şanlıurfa Birecik Mayor Mehmet Begit and Batman Beşiri İkiköprü Town Mayor Halil İbrahim Karabulut had previously switched to the AK Party.
BEYKOZ DEPUTY MAYOR ALSO SWITCHED TO AK PARTY
Özlem Vural Gürzel, who was elected as the deputy mayor by the municipal council to replace CHP Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Köseler, arrested on corruption charges, was also among those who later joined the AK Party.