23.06.2026 22:50
Haymana Mayor Levent Koç, who switched to the AK Party hours after resigning from the CHP, explained the reason for his resignation to Haberler.com Editor-in-Chief Bedia Teymur. Stating that he had been unable to meet with Mansur Yavaş for months, Koç said, "Let alone meeting with him, I couldn't even get a response to my messages or calls. We haven't been able to reach Mansur Yavaş for 6 months. I clearly realized that the relationship has completely broken down."
Haymana Mayor Levent Koç, who resigned from the Republican People's Party (CHP), joined the AK Party. President Erdoğan pinned Koç's badge.
While the repercussions of Koç's transition to the AK Party continue, he made important statements about the reason behind his resignation and the background. Speaking to Bedia Teymur, Editor-in-Chief of Haberler.com, Koç highlighted the troubles he experienced with Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş.
Koç said: "It was very difficult to make this decision. It was a decision I agonized over until the last day. We are obliged to meet the expectations of our city. We never strayed from this awareness.
"I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO MEET WITH MANSUR YAVAŞ FOR 6-7 MONTHS"
I also thank our mayor Mansur Yavaş. He was always with us on many issues. But especially in the last 6-7 months, we have had many difficulties in communication with Mansur Yavaş. While my district chairman or council member could meet with our mayor whenever they wanted, I couldn't even get a reply to my messages or calls, let alone meet with him.
"THAT BRIDGE WAS TRULY BURNT"
We spoke three days before making this decision. I only told him this: 'Mr. Mayor, what is the reason for this? If we made a mistake without realizing it, forgive us. But tell us that mistake so we can know and correct it.' He only said, 'You went to see the minister the other day and didn't inform me.' We had gone to the minister four days earlier. We hadn't been able to reach Mansur Yavaş for six months. That bridge was truly burnt; I perceived that very clearly.
We have no issue with the party, and we don't have any business with it anyway. Because we are the executive authority, our job is with the metropolitan municipality. The party handles politics, and we carry out our projects. Therefore, the person we always need to engage with is our metropolitan mayor. Unfortunately, we have been experiencing this lack of engagement and communication for 6-7 months."