Cemil Tugay responds to AKP rumors: I will continue my duty as an independent

Debates regarding the political future of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay continue following his resignation from the CHP. It has been alleged that Tugay will join the AKP, and that he will even join the ruling party alongside three district mayors on August 14, the 25th anniversary of the AKP's founding.

Tugay's camp has denied the allegations. A statement from Tugay's press team said, "Our Mayor will continue his services as an independent." There has been no statement from the AKP regarding the claims either.

Tugay, who resigned from the CHP on June 18, did not join the New Party (Yeni Parti) founded on July 24. In a statement he made on the same day, he indicated that he would not allow municipal services to be affected by political uncertainties and that his priority is the peace and prosperity of İzmir.

THE RESIGNATION PROCESS FROM THE CHP

Tugay's decision to leave the CHP came to the agenda in connection with the developments in the party and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's return to the CHP Chairmanship following the "absolute nullity" ruling by the appellate court on May 21.

Stating in his resignation announcement that he would continue his political struggle, Tugay used the phrase, "The 'Absolute Nullity' CHP is not the roof for this struggle." The new CHP Central Executive Board led by Kılıçdaroğlu dismissed İzmir Provincial Chair Çağatay Güç and the provincial administration on June 17, appointing former Çiğli Mayor Utku Gümrükçü in his place.

In a statement on June 24, Tugay also denied allegations that he was negotiating for the provincial chairmanship with the appointed CHP administration. Saying, "I will return to the CHP when the nullity is gone," Tugay stated that he would not act with any group other than Özgür Özel.

VISIT TO MINISTER KURUM FUELED ALLEGATIONS

One of the developments that strengthened the claims that Tugay would join the AKP was his visit to Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum at his office in Ankara on July 23. The meeting took place one day before the founding of the New Party.

In a post after the meeting, Minister Kurum stated that İzmir's priority needs, ongoing works, and requests regarding the city were evaluated. Tugay announced that the main agenda was urban transformation and earthquake risk.

In his post, Tugay said that the current situation in the urban transformation area concerning 15 neighborhoods in Karabağlar, where planning authority lies with the ministry, and the support expected from the ministry were discussed. He also emphasized that they would be in dialogue with all institutions for the future of İzmir.

Having breakfast with workers at the İZBETON construction site on July 30, Tugay indirectly responded to the debates in his speech there. Saying, "I will never betray this country. I will fight against anyone involved in such a betrayal," Tugay expressed that public service should not be disrupted.

Evaluations regarding Tugay also came from the New Party front. Özgür Özel had previously stated that he did not approve of Tugay's resignation from the CHP and had made attempts to prevent it.

New Party Group Deputy Chairman Gökhan Günaydın, in a press conference he held at the Turkish Grand National Assembly on July 29, said regarding the allegations about Tugay, "We expect the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor to behave in accordance with the demands of the people of İzmir."

Born in Van in 1967, Cemil Tugay is a graduate of Ege University Faculty of Medicine. Serving as a plastic surgery specialist, Tugay was elected Mayor of Karşıyaka in 2019. Tugay, who was the CHP's İzmir Metropolitan Municipality mayoral candidate in the 2024 local elections, took office after receiving 49 percent of the votes.

News Source: 12punto