18.07.2026 01:30
Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli, who pitted opposition and ruling party deputies against each other in the Turkish Grand National Assembly General Assembly due to the tights he wore while cycling, was dismissed by a presidential decree. CHP Kars Deputy İnan Akgün Alp targeted him from the parliamentary podium by showing his photo and saying, "This is not how a governor should be, send them vine leaves," sparking days of public debate. Ömer Hilmi Yamlı, the District Governor of Gaziantep's Şehitkamil, was appointed in his place.
With the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the decree published in the Official Gazette removed Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli from duty. He was replaced by Gaziantep Şehitkamil District Governor Ömer Hilmi Yamlı, while Çiçekli had recently been in the spotlight due to debates over the leggings he wore while cycling.
BICYCLE LEGGINGS DEBATE BROUGHT TO THE AGENDA OF THE TURKISH GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli became a topic of public debate after images of him cycling were shared on social media.
The issue was later brought to the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, where CHP Kars Deputy İnan Akgün Alp criticized Governor Çiçekli harshly from the podium, showing his photograph.
In his speech, Alp said, "Four bodyguards in front and behind. He walks among citizens in leggings. Such a governor is unacceptable. I call on the Minister of Interior; either remove these governors or send them vine leaves."
"TIKTOK GOVERNORS SPRUNG UP" POST
After his speech in Parliament, CHP's Alp also shared a video on his social media account titled "TikTok governors sprung up," continuing his criticism by alleging that they see governors wandering among the public in leggings for engagement.
TENSION EXPERIENCED IN PARLIAMENT
The criticisms over Governor Çiçekli's attire drew reactions from AK Party and MHP deputies in the General Assembly of the TBMM. During the session where mutual verbal exchanges occurred, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament had to call the deputies to order.
REMOVAL DECISION PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE
With a Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette dated July 18, 2026, Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli was removed from duty. By the same decree, Gaziantep Şehitkamil District Governor Ömer Hilmi Yamlı was appointed as the new governor of Ardahan.