19.06.2026 07:00
It was claimed that Cemil Tugay, the Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality who resigned from the CHP, had a disagreement with the CHP headquarters over a critical appointment before his resignation. While it was alleged that Tugay opposed the dismissal of Çağatay Güç and the appointment of Utku Gümrükçü in his place, and demanded the decision be withdrawn, the CHP administration reportedly responded that MYK decisions could not be changed.
It was claimed that Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, who announced his resignation from the CHP to continue his duties independently, had a difference of opinion with the CHP Headquarters regarding a critical appointment before his resignation. It was alleged that Tugay opposed the dismissal of Çağatay Güç and the appointment of Utku Gümrükçü in his place, requesting the decision to be withdrawn.
NOTEWORTHY CLAIM AFTER THE RESIGNATION DECISION
While the decision of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, who announced his resignation from the Republican People's Party, remains on the political agenda, a striking claim regarding the events before the resignation was put forward by journalist Barış Yarkadaş.
It was alleged that Tugay had a difference of opinion with the CHP Headquarters over a decision regarding the party management in Izmir.
According to the claim, Cemil Tugay called the CHP Headquarters and stated that he did not find it right to dismiss Çağatay Güç and appoint Utku Gümrükçü in his place.
It was also alleged that during the meeting, Tugay said, "I wish you had consulted with us as well. We are also engaged in politics here; you should have asked for our opinion."
ALLEGEDLY REQUESTED THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE APPOINTMENT
According to the claim, Tugay requested the Headquarters to halt and withdraw the decision regarding Utku Gümrükçü's appointment. However, it was alleged that the CHP administration did not respond positively to this request.
It was claimed that Tugay argued that the implications of the said appointment within the Izmir organization and local politics should be considered, and he requested the decision to be reassessed.
"MYK DECISIONS CANNOT BE CHANGED"
According to the claim, during the meeting, CHP Party Assembly Member Müslim Sarı also intervened, emphasizing that the CHP is an institutional party. It was alleged that Sarı stated that decisions made by the Central Executive Board cannot be changed. It was claimed that as the CHP administration stood by its decision, the difference of opinion between the parties deepened further.
TUGAY ALSO CRITICIZED IN HIS RESIGNATION STATEMENT
In his announcement of resignation from the CHP, Cemil Tugay harshly criticized the developments within the party. In his statement, Tugay noted that the recent expulsion decisions were concerning, and he evaluated the dismissal of the Izmir Provincial Chairman as "a great injustice against the political will of Izmir and an unacceptable mistake."
Tugay argued that the political will expressed by party members and voters was being ignored, indicating that similar decisions would be made in the future.
Tugay also stated that the country needs a CHP free from all kinds of guardianship and manipulation, working for the rights and welfare of the people, and announced that he resigned from the party because he believed the current structure was not the framework for this struggle.
The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor announced that he would continue his duties independently from now on and continue to serve the people of Izmir.